Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg returned to the majors after a one-year hiatus with five dominant, scoreless innings, but the Los Angeles Dodgers beat up host Washington’s bullpen for a 7-3 victory Tuesday.

Strasburg’s fastball routinely hit the mid- to upper-90s and once hit 99, and he showed terrific command by throwing 40 of his 56 pitches for strikes. Strasburg struck out four, allowed two hits and retired 11 in a row at one point.

Strasburg, 23, underwent Tommy John surgery Sept. 3, 2010, after his elbow popped while pitching against the Phillies. He rehabbed faster than normal and will make a few more starts this season.

Rod Barajas drilled a two-run double in the eighth to break a 3-3 tie and send Los Angeles to its 12th win in 15 games.

The Dodgers tied the game in the sixth on a two-run single by Andre Ethier, which was preceded by Matt Kemp's run-scoring single. Ethier added a two-run double in the ninth.