The nationally anticipated match up was set to occur at Nationals Park — near our nation’s Capitol — for 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday night. It would feature the first battle between Atlanta Braves’ (57-42) rookie star Brandon Heyward and the Washington Nationals’ (43-57) rookie ace Stephen Strasburg.

More than 40,000 fans settled into their seats awaiting to see Strasburg’s second start vs. the Braves – but his first ever clash with the rookie all-star Heyward. Heyward missed their previous meeting due to an injury. The stage was set to see which young sensation would come out victorious over the other. At 7:01 p.m., the hope of seeing this duel would vanish as the National’s P.A. addressed the sell-out crowd to say Strasburg had been scratched from the line up.

Braves’ fans breathed a sigh of relief but it was filled with unusual disappointment. Even though the first place Braves would like the assumed easier challenge, fans love to witness Strasburg's 99 mph fastball and 91 mph change up that sends opposing batters into a frenzy.

The Strasburg hype sends fans to the box office for a chance to see him. Nations Field’s average attendance is 37,000 when Strasbourg pitches and a significantly lower crowd of 21,000 come to the park when he does not pitch.

The game would be delayed to allow the Nationals new pitcher — Miguel Batista — to warm up. This would mark Batista’s first start since 2007. At 7:08 p.m., Batista made his final warm-up pitches and he would take the mound to give the sold out crowd a show of his own by shutting out the Braves through five innings sparking the Nationals to a 3-0 victory.

The win provides the Nationals with a boost as they pick up a win in the first of three games at National Park.

Strasburg said he did not feel like his arm was getting loose. It would later be diagnosed as shoulder inflammation. He is listed as day to day.

The loss was a real disappointment for the Braves because they would not take advantage of Strasburg’s missed start. The loss narrows the Braves NL-East lead to three and one-half games over the Philadelphia Phillies.

On a positive note for the Braves — starter Tommy Hanson pitched six solid innings giving up only one earned run in Tuesday night’s loss. Two of the Nationals three runs came on defensive errors by the Braves.

The Braves will face the Nationals again tonight at Nationals Park with the first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.