There were some good, bad, and interesting (GBI)* performances from the ‘pen today, surrendering eight runs in the fourth to blow a 7-0 lead, but also throwing five scoreless innings to enable a 10-8 comeback win against the Yankees in Tampa.
* For the new folks, that’s a regular-season feature in which we pick out folks that are doing well, poorly, or something unexpected. It’s named after comedian Demetri Martin’s segment from his show on Comedy Central
GOOD: Adam Carr setting down the side in order for the save, his first of the spring in as many chances.
BAD: Josh Wilkie allowing both runners he inherited to score along with three more of his own on four hits, including a double and a triple.
INTERESTING: Atahualpa Severino throwing another 1-2-3 inning for his second hold.
All three relievers are generally considered longshots to make the club, so every outing is important for them — especially after three relievers were reassigned yesterday. The “bad” for Wilkie is particularly discomforting because (A) he’s a fan favorite (B) he’s not a hard thrower.
Naturally, the day after Chris Marrero get the lead treatment, he goes 0-for-3 with a strikeout and couldn’t scoop a Ryan Zimmerman throw. But he also turned a 3-6-3 double play, which I cannot recall him ever doing at Potomac. Derek Norris got the start at DH and went 0-for-1, but also drew two walks.
And last, but not least, Bryce Harper once again came off the bench and got his second hit of the spring, an RBI single in the eighth that gave the Nationals an insurance run. In the bottom of that inning, he gunned down Austin Romine trying to stretch a leadoff double into a triple (a cardinal sin, making the first out of an inning at third).
Tomorrow, the Nationals return to Viera to host the Atlanta Braves and the game will be telecast live on MASN. It will also mark the first radio broadcast of the year and a return to FM, as the game will be simulcast on WJFK 106.7FM and WFED 1500AM. For the rest of the spring radio broadcast schedule, click here.