Strasburg lifted after 4 innings with back tightness

Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg was pulled from Sunday's start after just four innings and 60 pitches against the Miami Marlins.

Chris Johnson of MASN.com reported that he left the game with discomfort in his upper back. The 27-year-old spent most of June on the disabled list dealing with neck tightness.

"It's just a little bit of back tightness," Strasburg said. "It's something that I kind of dealt with in the middle of the year. It's got some sort of little ball that's in the back there that I can't really figure out what it is. Sometimes it gets upset."

Strasburg allowed a three-run homer to Justin Bour in the first and a solo shot to Derek Dietrich to open the fourth. He gave up seven hits and struck out three without a walk before getting replaced by Doug Fister to start the fifth. Manager Matt Williams was asked if the injury or tough start led to his exit.

"A little bit of both," Williams said. "Of course, with any player, it's a little bit of prodding that has to be done because everybody (says), 'I'm good.' That's the nature of a player. You can tell with your eyes. Velocity coming down a little bit, feel for the breaking ball and changeup just wasn't there, and looking uncomfortable."

The 2009 first overall pick entered with a 3-1 record and a 1.73 ERA in four starts since coming off the disabled list after missing more than a month with an oblique strain.

- With files from theScore