Nationals rookie Stephen Strasburg opens major league career with 1-2-3 inning

Nationals rookie Strasburg opens with 1-2-3 inning

WASHINGTON — Stephen Strasburg’s major league career has begun — and it started with a 1-2-3 inning.

The No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft made his Washington Nationals debut Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates before a standing room only crowd.

Cameras flashed as Strasburg threw his first pitch — a 97 mph fastball that was well inside. Fans booed when umpire Tom Hallion called it a ball.

Leadoff hitter Andrew McCutchen lined out to short on an 2-0 pitch. Strasburg then got Neil Walker on a grounder to first and struck out Lastings Milledge with a pair of nasty curveballs.

Strasburg’s top speed in his first inning was 99 mph. He threw 11 pitches, six for strikes.