WASHINGTON -- Stephen Strasburg so badly wanted to start the Washington Nationals first game after the break that he gave up the chance to pitch in the All-Star Game in his hometown of San Diego.His 13th victory was a reward for that.Strasburg allowed one run and three hits with six strikeouts in eight masterful innings as the Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Friday night. Strasburg (13-0) has won 16 consecutive decisions dating to September, a franchise record for starting pitchers.He got probably some grief by not pitching in the All-Star Game, but he was doing what he thought was best for us and for him, manager Dusty Baker said. Boy, that sets the tone for the rest of the series.Strasburg has allowed a total of five hits in three starts since coming off the disabled list on July 3. Catcher Wilson Ramos said this is the best he has ever seen Strasburg pitch, and eight innings matched the right-handers season high.At the plate, Strasburg drove in what turned out to be the winning run on a sacrifice bunt attempt in the seventh inning. He reached safely because of an error by Pirates first baseman David Freese.I was just telling myself Im going to stick in there, Strasburg said. I wasnt going to walk away without getting it down.First baseman Clint Robinson, who drove in a run in the fifth, scored in the seventh on the combination of a wild pitch by reliever Neftali Feliz and a throwing error by catcher Eric Fryer. Center fielder Michael Taylor broke the game open with a two-run homer, his seventh of the season, off Feliz.Pittsburgh starter Francisco Liriano (5-9) got the loss after allowing three runs and five hits in six-plus innings.I thought he pitched a very competitive ballgame, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. Its good to see him move it deeper into the game.Competitive wasnt enough against the Nationals lineup, which was strong even without Daniel Murphy, who was scratched with a sore left hamstring. Robinson, who didnt learn he was starting until batting practice, went 2 for 4.Big Robinson, hes always ready, Baker said. He got some big hits for us, he tied the game up off Liriano and then he got another hit that started a rally. Clint has been a life saver for us and especially in (Ryan Zimmermans) absence.The Nationals keep chugging along atop the National League East in large part because of starting pitching. Strasburg has been the best and on Friday lowered his ERA to 2.51.I felt pretty good, said Strasburg, who threw 69 of 105 pitches for strikes. Im trying to go out there with the same game plan, the same plan of attack and focus on executing pitches.TRAINERS ROOMPirates: RHP Ryan Vogelsong, who has been out since May 23 when he was hit by a pitch and suffered three facial fractures, threw six scoreless innings in a rehab start for Double-A Altoona. ... C Francisco Cervelli, who has been on the DL since June 11 with a broken bone in his wrist, doubled and singled in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Indianapolis.Nationals: Murphy said he felt tightness in his hamstring after sliding into second base during the All-Star Game on Tuesday. The team listed him as day-to-day but he wasnt sure if hed be able to play Saturday night. ... Baker said RHP Joe Ross continues to toss but remains on the DL with no definitive timeline.FATHERS DAYSThis is the Pirates fourth annual dads trip, and almost 20 fathers of people throughout the organization are taking part.Its an absolute blast for everybody, Hurdle said. Its kind of like revisiting Little League but backwards because then weve got to follow our fathers around and make sure they havent left stuff behind.UP NEXTPirates RHP Gerrit Cole (5-4, 2.77 ERA) returns from the DL and starts Saturday against Nationals RHP Tanner Roark (8-5, 3.01). Cole has been out since June 11 with a strained right triceps muscle. Vapormax 97 Metallic Dark Sea . Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming tournament. Vapormax Plus Wolf Grey . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. http://www.vapormaxcheapoutlet.com/vapormax-flyknit-3.html . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Vapormax Plus Black And White Cheap . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. Discount Vapormax . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. OMAHA, Neb. -- Josh Prenot set a U.S. mens record in the 200-meter breaststroke Thursday by swimming a 2:07.17 at the U.S. trials to win the event and qualify for his first Olympics.Feels amazing. Before tonight, I was probably the most nervous Ive ever been for a race, so staying calm was a bit of a challenge, he said. But it ended up working out. This is my last race in the meet and my last chhance to make the team.dddddddddddd. I didnt really feel like waiting another four years.Kevin Cordes finished second in 2:08.00.Kevin has looked strong throughout this meet, Prenot said. Being next to him was good for me because I knew where I was at the whole race. ' ' '