The Nats used the longball to score in five straight innings to build a 6-2 lead but the ‘pen gave it away with two in the 7th, and solo HRs in the 8th and 9th innings for a 7-7 tie.
A.J. Cole stepped in for Stephen Strasburg and shut down Detroit on the first turn through the lineup but was dinged for his fourth HR in four appearances with the big club, finishing with two runs allowed on the one hit and two walks with five strikeouts over three and 2/3rds.
Tanner Roark turned in his second clean outing in relief of Cole, getting the last out of the 4th and pitching around a pair of singles in the 5th.
Michael Taylor homered twice off Tiger ace Justin Verlander to lead off the 3rd and 5th innings and finished the afternoon at 2-for-3, which raised his spring batting average to .324 (11-for-34).
Out-of-options Sandy Leon also started and went 1-for-3 with an RBI. In ten appearances, he’s 6-for-19 with three RBI.
Coming off the bench were…
…Delta Cleary Jr., who struck out in his lone at-bat as Taylor’s replacement.
…Cutter Dykstra, who subbed for Dan Uggla at 2B and was 0-for-1.
…Randolph Oduber, who pinch-ran for Tyler Moore and scored and later singled and scored a second run.
…Matt Skole, who pinch-ran for Ian Stewart and drove in Oduber with an 8th-inning single. He was later caught stealing to end the 8th.
…Spencer Kieboom, who followed Leon and was 0-for-1.
The Nats return to Viera tomorrow to host the Yankees. The game will be broadcast live on MASN and on the radio at 1580 and 1500 AM.