Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg didn't deliver just a "dominant' performance in Wednesday's 3-2 Nationals season finale victory. What he delivered can only be described as "Strasburgian."
Not hampered by a pitch limit, the young Nats phenom stepped on the mound during the final game at Sun Life Stadium in Florida and announced to Major League baseball: "I'm back." Strasburg earned his first and only victory in 2011 by pitching six innings, giving up only one hit, no runs, walking two and racking up an astounding 10 strike outs. He threw 79 pitches, 54 for strikes and at one point hit 100 mph on the radar gun. It was a huge cherry on top of the Nationals 2011 cake and a performance Nationals fans will no doubt be talking about until the start of the 2012 season. Strasburg, who just returned from Tommy John surgery recovery, finishes the season 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA in five games.
The Nationals were able to get on top of the Marlins in the fifth when shortstop Ian Desmond hit a two-run single. The Marlins were able to get one back off reliever Ryan Mattheus to make the score 2-1, but Roger Bernadina added an insurance run in the eight on an RBI single. Nationals closer Drew Storen recorded his 43rd save in the ninth.
The Nationals complete their 2011 campaign 80-81 and third place in the NL East.