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.