Stephen Strasburg stayed on the mound after a liner went off his left hand, pitching six innings in the Washington Nationals' 4-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Friday.

The 24-year-old right-hander was struck by a ball hit by Prince Fielder in the top of the fourth inning. After shaking off the injury and being cleared by team trainers, he struck out two of the next three batters.

Strasburg, making his sixth spring start, gave up three runs and seven hits. One of the hits was a solo home run by Matt Tuiasosopo.

Detroit's Drew Smyly, knocked around by Washington in his previous start, retired the first 10 batters he faced. Ian Desmond homered off the left-hander in the fifth inning.