In split-squad action, the Nats regulars beat the Mets 8-5 in Viera, while the reserves beat the Astros 9-7 in Kissimmee.
Jordan Zimmermann got the home start and tossed four and 2/3rds innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks. He struck out six, but was denied the “W” as Craig Stammen blew the save by allowing the third Mets run to score. Jeremy Accardo was the sole minor-leaguer to appear in Viera, giving up a run in the 9th on a leadoff triple to former Washington farmhand Brian Bixler and an RBI groundout.
Ross Ohlendorf’s woes continued with another poor outing as the road starter, charged with four runs on five hits and three walks to balloon his spring ERA to 7.36 after four appearances. He was followed by Ryan Perry, who gave up a run on two hits and no walks over the next two innings.
Erik Davis got the win as one of four relievers to turn in an inning to close out the game. Jeff Mandel got the save despite giving up a run in the 9th in his first “A” game appearance.
Anthony Rendon continues to make the case for making Matt Skole the Harrisburg third baseman and himself the starter in Syracuse with a 4-for-5, 3RBI afternoon, including his fourth HR of the spring — a go-ahead two-run shot in the 8th. Micah Owings (3-for-5) doubled twice and drove in two, while Corey Brown singled and doubled to join Rendon as multi-hit batters as the “baby Nats” spanked the Houston minor-league hurlers for 17 hits total.
Estarlin Martinez (double in the 9th) and Ricky Hague (groundout in the 8th) also drove in runs in the split-squad game, which saw the Nationals overcome deficits of 4-0 and 5-4 with a two-run 8th and three-run 9th.
The next round of cuts are expected to be announced later this afternoon or early this evening.