The Washington Nationals young studs were on display Monday in their 2-0 victory the Miami Marlins.
“You couldn't draw it up any better. No question," Nats first baseman Adam Laroche said. "And to have the two youngsters go out, do what they did? ... Let Harper and Stras go to work. They didn't need us."
20-year-old centerfielder Bryce Harper blasted two homeruns in his first two at bats, making him the youngest player to accomplish such a feat.
Nats ace Stephen Starsburg kept pace with Harper by allowing only three hits over seven scoreless innings. At one point, he retired 19 batters in a row. Harper even heard chances of “M-V-P.”
"It was a pretty special moment," Harper said. "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."
When Strasburg was called up from the minors last year, the regular season had already begun.
"They really were loud and crazy," Harper said. "Hopefully they're going to be like that all year."
Marlins Opening Day Starer, Ricky Nolasco, admitted that he made some costly mistakes to the Nationals’ young stud.
"Didn't make the best pitches to him, and he didn't miss 'em," he said. "That's what hitters do."
Strasburg, usually a high strikeout pitcher, was able to provide stellar pitching while only recording three strikeouts. He got great support from his defense and even defended well himself, cleanly fielding a couple comebackers.
Before the game Strasburg, Harper and Nationals Manager Davey Johnson were handed some hardware for their performances last season. Harper received his Rookie of the Year award, Strasusburg his Louisville slugger award, and Davey Johnson received the award for National League Manager of the Year.
Johnson has said the season's motto is “World Series or bust.”
