The Astros lit up Tom Gorzelanny with a pair of three-run HRs as Houston sent the Nationals to their second loss in Grapefruit League play by a 10-2 count.
Gorzelanny was charged with seven earned runs while retiring three batters over the third and fourth innings, letting in an inherited run, hitting a batter, and walking four in the 11 batters he faced. Stephen Strasburg took the loss with two runs allowed on three hits, including a solo HR in the third.
For the second consecutive game, the Nats outhit their opponent (10-8) but were slightly better in the clutch, going 3-for-11 with nine men left on base.
Bryce Harper came off the bench for this one, going 1-for-2 with a an infield single and a strikeout (looking).
Anthony Rendon saw his first action at shortstop, subbing in for Ian Desmond, who committed two errors in three defensive chances. Rendon made an assist on the first and only ball hit to him. He went 0-for-2 at the plate.
Other notable minor-leaguer lines from the box score:
- Corey Brown pinch-ran, scored a run, and went 1-for-2 with a single to center. He played LF and made four putouts
- Eury Perez went 1-for-2 with a single (liner to left-center) and had no defensive chances while playing CF
- Tyler Moore got sawed off and popped to short while pinch-hitting for DH Michael Morse
The loss drops the Nats to 0-2 in the Grapefruit League. They visit Port St. Lucie tomorrow night to take on the N.Y. Mets, with the game televised on the MLB Network and broadcast on WJFK 106.7 FM and its affiliates. John Lannan is slated to start the game for the Nationals, opposed by Dillon Gee for the Mets.