Photos: Return of Strasburg and Four MLB Debuts

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Washington Nationals 7-3 on Tuesday night, September 6, 2011, however, it was an exciting evening for Nats fans.

The long awaited return of Stephen Strasburg was almost delayed or postponed thanks to heavy rain in the DC area. Mother Nature cooperated and the game started on time and Strasburg threw five scoreless innings.  Just like his MLB debut on June 8, 2010, Strasburg exceeded the hype.

See the Nats News Network game review here.

In addition to the fantastic pitching by Strasburg, there were four MLB debuts in the last three innings of the game to keep fans in their seats and wait through the thirty-one minute rain delay.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS MLB DEBUTS ON 9/6/2011:

RHP BRAD PEACOCK - Entered the game in the middle of the sixth inning and pitched until rain delay.  He pitched 1.1 innings giving up four hits, one run and one walk.

LHP Atahualpa Severino - Pitched 0.1 inning and struck out only batter he faced.

INF Steve Lombardozzi - Lead off the 8th inning with a walk while pinch hitting for Henry Rodriguez.

OF Corey Brown - Stepped up the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs and bases loaded. He hit a long ball to left field, but wasn't quite far enough. Brown would have tied up the game with a grand slam and would have been an instant hero. Tough situation for a MLB debut.

MORE PHOTOS FROM DODGERS V. NATS, 9/6/2011:

(All photos ©Cheryl Nichols Photography/NatsNewsNetwork)

Pitching Coach Steve McCatty, Strasburg and Ramos

(notice that big smile on Stephen's face - long year for him)

Strasburg's First Pitch

Stephen Strasburg's First Pitch = 96 mph Strike

Dee Gordon sliding into 2B

Strasburg heading to dugout after first inning

Ted Lilly - Dodgers starter

Strasburg reached 99 mph

Chris Marrero hit his first extra base hit! A double!

Strasburg laid down a bunt in 2nd inning

Strasburg advanced to 2B on throwing error to 1B

Strasburg looked up at the sky when he felt first raindrop

Dodgers 1B Coach Davey Lopes (Former Nats 1B Coach)

Strasburg shined

Teddy was in the lead…..

…..until that darn cat attacked again...

The cat took Teddy down

Poor Teddy. George went on to win.

Strasburg threw five shutout innings - 56 pitches/40 strikes

3B Coach Bo Porter shakes Strasburg's hand after start

Former Nat Jamey Carroll

Doug Slaten pitched in 6th inning

RHP Brad Peacock made his MLB debut in the 6th inning

Brad Peacock's First MLB Pitch = 95 mph strike to Matt Kemp

Brad Peacock's First MLB Pitch

Peacock had two inherited runners in debut

Dodgers 1B Matt Kemp

Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly

Atahualpa Severino made his MLB debut after rain delay in 7th inning

Severino struck out only batter he faced

Dee Gordon safe at 2B

Severino finishes outing

Dodgers Kenley Jansen earned the win

Henry Rodriguez got the loss

Tony Gwynn Jr. stealing 2B

Tony Gwynn Jr. slid under Ian Desmond's glove and stole 2B

Former Nats pitcher Mike MacDougal

MacDougal pitched the 8th inning and earned his 12th hold

Steve Lombardozzi made his MLB debut in bottom of the inning

Lombardozzi walked in his first MLB at bat

Yunesky Maya pitched the 9th inning and gave up two runs and two walks

Dee Gordon grounded out to 2B; Espinosa made the throw to Marrero

OF Corey Brown made his MLB debut in bottom of 9th inning with two outs

With bases loaded, Brown flied out to deep LF

Corey Brown was close to being the hero in his debut