Fifth Straight Win Clinches .500 or Better Spring
Nats Win Again, 10-0
Five pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout as the Nats blanked the Astros 10-0 for their fifth straight win. With three games to go, and a 15-12 record, the Nats will finish at .500 or better in Grapefruit League play since 2005.
Livan Hernandez pitched the first four innings and allowed one hit while walking one and striking out one. Collin Balester followed with two innings with one hit given up, while Tyler Clippard, Todd Coffey and Sean Burnett each pitched a 1-2-3 inning to finish the game out.
Danny Espinosa went 0-for-4, lowering his ST average to .281 while Wilson Ramos got a pinch-hit to raise his to .349 for the spring.
Prospect Roundup…
…Tyler Moore went 1-for-2 with a run scored and played the last five innings on defense at first base.
…Josh Johnson went 0-for-1 and played the last three innings on defense at second base.
…Jhonatan Solano went 0-for-1 and caught the last two innings.
The Nationals return to Viera tomorrow to host the Marlins for the final Sunday of Spring Training. Ross Detwiler is expected to get the start, as John Lannan will once again pitch versus the minor-leaguers rather than give Florida batters a “free look.” The game will be broadcast on 106.7 WJFK.
I guess we can expect most if not all final “cuts” tomorrow? Giving the team time to do the final rehearsals for the regular season start on Thursday. With both Friday and Monday off I guess they can put it off some …
Is it going to be a pretty messy 2 weeks figuring out how to juxtapose the 40 man roster to create spaces for the veterans Riggleman wants to add from the minor league signings? Plus I guess Syracuse opens on April 7th. That roster, (especially pitching wise), plus Harrisburg’s looks even worst and like a giant baseball cryptogram!
I heard there were several players that were cut from the minor leagues this week. Anyone have any knowledge who they were?
I’ve made some overtures to the Nationals front office, asking to be put on media distribution lists, but have been pointed to the resources I’ve outlined as too slow in the course of asking. Rosters ought to be set by Wednesday or so but the information will likely be embargoed until a week from tomorrow.
Cutter Dykstra!
Getting a young MI-UT player for Morgan isn’t bad, imo. ‘Nails’ Dykstra’s son shows a little speed (28SB-8CS) as well as being willing of playing all over the field. Given his OBP in low-A last season, maybe he’ll start the year in Potomac.