Bryce Harper Doubles Twice, Drives In Two
Nationals pound out 14 runs on 14 hits a day after getting shut out
Bryce Harper came to bat twice in the eighth inning and twice he delivered a double to right field as part of a nine-run eighth as the Washington Nationals defeated the Houston Astros 14-9 this afternoon.
The second double of the inning gave Harper his two RBI and extended the Nationals lead from 11-8 to 13-8. He would attempt to steal third with two outs on the very first pitch to the next batter, coming around to score after a wild pitch and Kevin Barker double. Harper is now batting .308 for the spring.
Other notable prospects…
- Danny Espinosa once again got the start at second base and went 2-for-5 with 3 RBI and a strikeout.
- Derek Norris struck out in his lone plate appearance.
- Yunesky Maya started, but struggled in his 2⅔ innings, allowing a run on a home run (five hits total), walking one and striking out one.
- Cole Kimball went 2 innings and allowed a hit but struck out three
- Ryan Mattheus allowed a run on two hits while pitching the ninth inning. He struck out one.
With the win, the Nationals improve to 5-3 and travel to Port St. Lucie tomorrow to face a split-squad Mets team. Brian Broderick, Atahualpa Severino & Adam Carr are expected to pitch in relief.
I’m assuming there’s nothing really to see here with Mattheus. Did he pass through Potomac at all after the Beimel trade?
Nope. I’m only including him because the name keeps coming up but he appears to be the prototypical hurt pitcher that the org is gambling will get healthy again.