Brian Broderick pitched to five batters in the seventh and all five came in to score as the Marlins took advantage of an error to down the Nats 6-4 and stop Washington’s five-game win streak.
While only three of the runs were earned, the Rule 5 pick’s ERA ballooned from 0.61 to 2.45 after surrendering four hits in five batters, including a bases-clearing triple. Ryan Zimmerman committed the error on a muffed sacrifice bunt, denying a ST win to Ross Detwiler (5IP 5H 1ER 0BB 2K).
Danny Espinosa‘s snapped his two-game hitless streak by going 1-for-2 with two walks and a strikeout. He also stole two bases and scored on a wild pitch.
Wilson Ramos got the start behind the plate and went 1-for-4 and was unsuccessful in throwing out the lone basestealing attempt against the DC battery.
Jesus Valdez was the only other prospect to play, going 0-for-2 with a strikeout and played the last four innings on defense as the right fielder, catching three flyballs.
The loss drops Washington to 15-13 for the spring, with two chances left to clinch a first-ever winning Spring Training record since moving to DC six years ago. With the regular season starting on Thursday, LHP Tom Milone draws the starting assignment tomorrow against the Braves tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m.
I wonder if Broderick’s bad outing will cost him that last bullpen spot. He’s pitched well, but has hardly been overpowering. I can’t see how a team with a still-weak rotation could afford to try to carry him all season as a Rule 5 pick when they need Balester’s power arm to spell the soft tossers in the rotation.
Guess we’ll know in a few days.
I still think Lannan’s immediate future rides on what happens tomorrow.
“Jesus Valdez” – That would be using the term “prospect” rather liberally.
Yup, which is why I made the call to stop ST coverage!