Stephen Strasburg simply shrugged.
Two starts, two wins, 22 strikeouts and millions of fascinated fans. One dazzling debut — and a pretty fair encore.
It’s been quite a start for baseball’s newest attraction. But while America buzzes about him, this Nationals treasure isn’t buying the hype.
“Just another week, you know?” Strasburg said.
Hardly.
Yesterday, Washington’s pitching powerhouse learned that life on the road isn’t always smooth. Coming off a 14-strikeout opening act, Strasburg had more trouble with Cleveland’s mound than Indians hitters during his second major league start, leading the Nationals to a 9-4 win.
Strasburg (2-0) allowed just two hits, one a leadoff homer in the second inning by Travis Hafner, who turned on one of the right-hander’s 100 mph fastballs. He struck out eight and walked five before leaving to a chorus of boos in the sixth as Washington ended Cleveland’s four-game winning streak.
Strasburg was in control from the outset, and appeared destined to dominate the Indians, who except for Hafner, couldn’t catch up to his high or low heat through four innings. But Strasburg was bothered by loose dirt on the mound and twice requested repairs.
Following a walk in the sixth, he kicked at the dirt, showing frustration for the first time as a pro.
When he was lifted by manager Jim Riggleman after walking two in the sixth to load the bases, Strasburg was booed by many of the same fans who came to see if the phenom was for real. Strasburg’s appearance drew 32,876 fans, the second-largest crowd at Progressive Field this season.


