Associated Press
The NL roundup …
WASHINGTON — Stephen Strasburg allowed two hits over five shutout innings Tuesday night in his first major league start since undergoing Tommy John surgery, but the bullpen blew the lead as the Washington Nationals lost 7-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 2009 overall No. 1 draft pick again displayed the repertoire that wowed the baseball world last year during a rookie season cut short when his elbow popped in a game at Philadelphia on Aug. 21. His long road back began when he had ligament replacement surgery last Sept. 3.
Strasburg threw 56 pitches, 40 for strikes. He struck out four.
Cardinals 4, Brewers 2
ST. LOUIS — Kyle Lohse threw six scoreless innings on eight days’ rest and the Cardinals got home runs from Jon Jay and Matt Holliday in the third inning.
Lohse (13-8), who leads the Cardinals in victories, gave up four hits, struck out six and walked three. He was pushed back two days behind Chris Carpenter and Jake Westbrook after giving up four runs in five innings in a win against Pittsburgh in his last start.
Milwaukee’s Yovanni Gallardo (15-10) gave up three runs in six innings, and has allowed six home runs in 10 2-3 innings over his last two starts, both losses to the Cardinals. He gave up only three his previous seven starts combined.
Astros 4, Pirates 1
PITTSBURGH — Brett Myers pitched into the eighth inning to earn his first win in 21/2 months, leading the Astros to the victory.
Myers (4-13) allowed one run and four hits over 7 2-3 innings at soggy, chilly PNC Park as last-place Houston snapped a four-game losing streak. The right-hander had lost seven consecutive decisions since he pitched a four-hitter in a 7-3 victory at the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 17.
The Astros have four of their last five against Pittsburgh but are 2-9 in their past 11 against everyone else. Humberto Quintero had three RBIs, Jimmy Paredes finished with three hits and Mark Melancon worked the ninth for his 17th save,
Ryan Doumit homered and former No. 4 overall draft pick Brad Lincoln had another effective outing for Pittsburgh, which has lost two of three and seven of 10. Lincoln (1-2) allowed two runs and five hits in six innings.