Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg is no longer being limited by the organization as an injury risk, and he took advantage of his newfound freedom Thursday against the Padres. For the first time in his major-league career, Strasburg pitched into the eighth inning in picking up his second win of the season.
"Last year," manager Davey Johnson said to CBSSports.com senior baseball columnist Scott Miller, "I cut him short because he was on an innings limit. This year, I'm going to be pushing him."
Strasburg is averaging 6 1/3 innings per start, the first time in his career he has topped the six-inning mark on average. That is an indication of the team's growing trust in their ace.
"Davey has given me a little bit more trust," Strasburg said. "I'm strong enough to go over 100 pitches and be successful, and not lose movement."
Strasburg is still ninth in the National League in strikeouts per nine innings, but he has made a concerted effort to pitch to contact more often, in an attempt to get deeper into games.