The Washington Nationals continued their success from last year's turnaround season to open up the 2013 campaign with a 2-0 win over the Miami Marlins. Washington benefited from strong performances from their consecutive No.1 overall MLB draft picks from 2009 and 2010, pitcher Stephen Strasburg and center fielder Bryce Harper.
Strasburg (1-0), who was limited to a pitch count last season after coming off Tommy John surgery, pitched seven scoreless innnings and allowed just three hits off of 80 pitches and collecting 19 consecutive outs. He was relieved by Tyler Clippard and closer Rafael Soriano (S, 1) who eached pitched a scoreless inning for Washington.
Strasburg also benefited by a strong performance from 2012 NL Rookie of the Year Bryce Harper. Harper went 2-4, hitting two solo home runs to give Washington their only runs of the game.
"It was a pretty special moment," Harper told ESPN. "If I was 0 for 4, or 4 for 4, it wouldn't have mattered to me. Just going out there having some fun on opening day for the first time."
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