Nats rookie Strasburg shines in debut

VIERA, Fla., March 9 (UPI) -- Prized Washington Nationals rookie right-hander Stephen Strasburg made his spring training debut Tuesday, allowing no runs in two innings.

Strasburg, one of the most heralded young pitchers in baseball history and last year's first overall draft choice, hurled two scoreless innings against the Detroit Tigers at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla., allowing two hits, striking out two and walking none.

After setting down the Tigers 1-2-3 in the first inning -- all on groundball outs -- he followed up in the second inning by striking out Miguel Cabrera on a 98-mph fastball and fanning Brent Dlugach on a curveball after falling behind, The Detroit News reported.

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman held Strasburg to 27 pitches in his spring debut, 12 of which were strikes, the newspaper said.