Strasburg makes long-awaited debut for Nats

VIERA, Fla. (AP) — Stephen Strasburg battled some nerves and location issues during his spring training debut.

Other than those minor hiccups, the top prospect was pretty impressive.

Strasburg threw two scoreless innings in the Washington Nationals’ 9-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, responding well to the hoopla surrounding his first exhibition start.

“There was a lot of adrenaline flowing today,” he said. “It’s just great to get my feet wet because I know what to expect next time.”

Strasburg threw 15 of his 27 pitches for strikes and allowed two hits, successive two-out singles by Don Kelly and Alex Avila in the second. But the right-hander finished off Brent Dlugach with a bending, 81 mph breaking ball for an inning-ending strikeout.

“I just wanted to go out there and throw strikes,” Strasburg said. “If they hit it, they hit it. Big deal. I have enough confidence in my stuff that if I can go out there and make them put the ball in play, I’ve got a great defense behind me that’s going to back me up.”

Strasburg was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft and received a record $15.1 million, four-year contract from the Nationals. He went 13-1 in his final season with San Diego State, leading Division I pitchers in ERA (1.35) and strikeouts (195 in 109 innings).

It was clear that this wasn’t a normal spring game when fans lined the right-field stands to watch Strasburg warm up, creating an unusual spectacle. Pitching coach Steve McCatty encouraged the 21-year-old to breathe and be himself, but McCatty was aware of the effect of the intense scrutiny on his young pitcher.

“He was wired up pretty good,” McCatty said. “I patted on the chest and I could feel (his heart) thumping pretty good out there. It’s the kid’s first time, you know? There’s a lot of pressure on him … a lot of expectations to live up to.”

Strasburg is getting used to the fascination. He even sounded as if he believed it would start to dissipate in the wake of his debut.

“It’s a lot of craziness going on, a lot of hype, a lot of anticipation,” Strasburg said. “It’s all over with, it’s in the books. It’s all about getting better now and trying to learn as much as you can.”

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman hopes that’s the case.

“Now he can work, settle in, blend in,” Zimmerman said. “Be normal again.”

Whether that effort will translate into a spot in the rotation is unknown. Manager Jim Riggleman, responding to a familiar question about whether Strasburg has a shot at the opening-day roster, reiterated that the club is trying to be open-minded.

“We’ll make that decision as an organization,” Riggleman said. “As far as he knows, he’s like anybody else: trying to make the club.”

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