Strasburg fans 11 in possible final tuneup

Stephen Strasburg has always been a quick study in his professional career. Now he may be ready to rejoin the Nationals after a pair of Triple-A rehab starts.

The Washington ace struck out 11 in 5 2/3 innings as Syracuse topped Pawtucket, 9-3, on Monday at NBT Bank Stadium.

"He looked really good. He was strong from start to finish. So if he's not [ready to return], he's very close. He said he felt strong, he said he felt good," Chiefs pitching coach Bob Milacki said. "He probably could've gone another inning -- that's how strong he was. That's the biggest thing is his health and how he looks and how strong he is and he was throwing 94-98 [mph] tonight; it was great."

Strasburg (1-1) struck out the side on 13 pitches in the first inning, but ran into some trouble the following frame. The right-hander allowed singles to Allen Craig and No. 14 Red Sox prospect Garin Cecchini to start the frame, but then fanned No. 23 Marco Hernandez and Matt Spring. Mike Miller slapped a two-run double to right, but the damage was limited when he was thrown out trying to reach third on the throw.

"He gave up a couple ground-ball hits, they found some holes. He was throwing a lot of fastballs and they got early in-the-count hits. He got a couple punchouts and the last guy [Miller], he had 2-2 and located a fastball down and away. He did a nice piece of hitting, just sliced it down the right-field line," Milacki said. "It was barely fair and they ended up getting him out in the rundown, but that was the only real 'flaw' -- if you want to call that a flaw -- in tonight's game. That was it. He looked really good and all his stuff was working for him real good."

The San Diego State product coasted the rest of the way, allowing two more hits without issuing a walk. Strasburg struck out 11 for the first time since June 4, 2014 with Washington.

"Fastball coming out of his hand good, good angle, located his pitches," Milacki said. "His changeup was a swing-and-miss pitch. He threw some curveballs that had some real good break."

Strasburg was sidelined July 4 with tightness in his left side and began his rehab stint with the Chiefs on July 29. The 6-foot-4 hurler took the loss after allowing three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five in four frames against Buffalo.

"He comes out and he'll go through a routine with all the pitchers. When pitchers are throwing on the side, he watches them and gives them pointers, talks pitching. It's great," the coach said. "The players here in Triple-A look up to guys that have success in the big leagues, especially guys like him that are so special. For him to help them along the way, goes a long way for them. Hopefully it helps them develop a little bit too."

The Nationals took Strasburg first overall in the 2009 Draft and he began his pro career in the Arizona Fall League. The following season, the San Diego native backed up the hype, making his Major League debut just 11 Minor League games into the campaign. Strasburg returned to the Minors for six rehab games in 2011 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but has been in the Majors for the past three seasons.

Strasburg stopped in Double-A Harrisburg on June 17 after a left trapezius strain put him on the disabled list on May 29. With the Senators, he yielded one earned run in five frames before returning to the Majors.

The Chiefs powered the rehabbing starter to victory with a grand slam by Jason Martinson and a solo shot by Nationals' No. 23 prospect Matt Skole.

Pawtucket starter Edwin Escobar (0-2) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out one in three frames.