Nats, Astros Tie, 6-6

The Astros rallied for two in the 9th to salvage a 6-6 tie and preserve the Nats’ .500 record at 4-4-1 for the spring.

Houston posted a picket fence on the scoreboard with single runs in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings. Washington rallied for three in the 3rd, two in the 6th, and for what appeared to be an insurance run in the 8th before Scott McGregor gave away two in the 9th.

Here’s a rundown of how the notable minor-leaguers did coming off the bench:
• Rafael Bautista went 0-for-2 with an RBI in CF
• Wilmer Difo went 0-for-2 with a strikeout at SS
• Kevin Keyes went 1-for-2 in RF
• Cutter Dykstra went 0-for-1 with a run scored at 2B
• Matt Skole went 0-for-1 as a PH for the DH
• Sammy Solis struck out three over two and 2/3rds innings and gave up a run on a home run and four hits total

Prior to the game, catchers Spencer Kieboom and Pedro Severino were reassigned to the minor-league camp. More cuts are expected after tomorrow’s pair of split-squad games vs. the Mets and at the Marlins.