Tuesday night, butterflies fluttered in the stomach of former South Granville pitcher Matt Harrison.

He may not have known that Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan was in the stands to watch but Harrison was well aware of the magnitude of his first major league start.

It was a winning debut.

After a one-hour rain delay, Harrison takes the hill in Texas around 9pm. He records his first major league strikeout against the second batter he faces, Gary Matthews, Jr. Harrison then retires the side with a grounder to second.

He shows veteran poise getting the first place Angels to ground into a pair of double plays and they did score a run in the first 4 innings.

It wasn't until the 5th inning that Harrison gave up his first major league runs. After a 1 out walk to Tori Hunter, Howie Kendrick doubled to right. Garrett Anderson hit a  grounder under Harrison's glove that dribbled into center field for a 2-run single.

The Angels led 2-1 into the home half of the 5th when Chris Davis hit a solo homer to center to tie the game heading to the 6th.

After a 1-2-3 top half of the 6th, fellow North Carolinian, Josh Hamilton helps Harrison with a run scoring single and a 3-2 lead.

Harrison left after getting three outs in the 7th and teammates greeted the smiling southpaw with hugs and congrats after a memorable debut. In 7 innings, Matt Harrison gave up 5 hits, 2 runs with a walk and one strikeout.

Texas recorded the final 6 outs to hand Matt Harrison a win in his first trip to a major league mound. Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan was in the stands to witness the win.

Prior to his major league start, Harrison was 6-3 with a 3.43 ERA in 15 starts in double and triple A. He was the ninth Ranger to make his major league debut this season.

"We wouldn't do this if we didn't think Matt was ready," Texas general manager Jon Daniels said of Harrison. "He's a strike thrower. He's got a good pitch mix. He's got a mound presence. He's most deserving of this opportunity at this point."

After a stellar high school career at South Granville High in Creedmoor, Harrison was taken in the third round by the Atanta Braves in 2003. Last July, Harrison was a part of the seven-player deal between the Braves and Rangers that sent Mark Teixeira to Atlanta.

Matt Harrison joins former Athens Drive star Josh Hamilton in Texas.

In May of 2003, WRAL Harrison as he prepared for the major league draft. Click on the video link for a repeat performance from Matt Harrison.