Stephen Strasburg tossed 80 pitches over seven innings, allowing three hits and striking out three and Bryce Harper hit home runs in his first two at-bats to lead the Washington Nationals to a 2-0 opening-day win over the Miami Marlins. Tyler Clippard earned a hold in the eighth-inning and Rafael Soriano earned his first save as a member of the Nats in a 1-2-3 ninth-inning.
Harper starting in his first big-league opening day hit the two solo shots over the right centerfield wall off of Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco. Strasburg completely dominated the Marlins lineup from the start, At one point in the game recording 19 consecutive outs. He did not walk a batter.
Juan Pierre, Placido Polanco, and Giancarlo Stanton had the only hits for Miami. The two teams will be off on Tuesday and return Wednesday night with, Gio Gonzalez taking the mound for Washington and Kevin Slowey starting for Miami.
