WASHINGTON // Stephen Strasburg, the rookie sensation, set a strikeout record in front of Barack Obama, the US president - but both had left the game by the time the Washington Nationals lost to the Chicago White Sox in the 11th inning on Friday. The 21-year-old pitcher struck out 10 White Sox batters to run his total to an unprecedented 32 through his first three starts.
But he left the mound with the game tied after seven innings and experienced his first no-decision as the White Sox eventually won 2-1 before a sell-out crowd that included the president and his two daughters. Strasburg said the strikeout record was "not a goal of mine" but said having the president in the crowd was "awesome". "Obviously, he's from Chicago, so he wanted to come watch the White Sox, too," he added. He spoke at greater length of two mistakes he made.
Juan Pierre, the game's first batter, barely beat Strasburg to the bag on a grounder to first and eventually came around to score Chicago's first run. In the sixth inning, Strasburg failed to get a bunt down with a Washington runner on first and one out. "Didn't get over there in time in the first inning, probably should have been an out there," Strasburg said. "I didn't get the bunt down. It's the little things like that, up here they're going to exploit it. I'm just going to come in tomorrow and work on my bunting - and see the [fielding] play before it happens next time."
Obama's arrival was not announced inside the stadium, and there was not the stringent security for fans that usually accompanies a public appearance. Joined by daughters Sasha and Malia and sipping a beer in a private box, the president wore a White Sox hat in support of his hometown team ? just as he did when he threw out the first pitch at the ballpark on opening day. Obama's motorcade departed during the ninth inning, but he was part of another Strasburg sell-out. The Nationals have filled the stands only three times all season: the first was the opening day, and other two are Strasburg's two home starts. The attendance was 40,325 on Friday.
Strasburg allowed four hits over seven innings, at one point retiring 15 batters consecutively, spicing a diet of fastballs that occasionally hit 160kph with curveballs and change-ups that leave batters bewildered. He lowered his ERA to 1.86 and did not walk a batter for the second time in his three starts. JR Richard held the record for strikeouts in his first three major league starts, tallying 29 for the Houston Astros in 1971.
* Agencies
