Nats Winless Streak Extended to Five
The bell did not toll for Heath as the Astros blasted the 37-y.o. non-roster invitee for all three of its runs in the 5th and held off a late rally for a 3-2 win over the Nationals in Kissimmee. The loss was the third straight and fourth in five games as the Nats have not won since last Wednesday.
Max Scherzer lowered his spring ERA to an even 2.00 with four shutout innings, allowing just a 1st-inning double to Luis Valbena and a walk to Andrew Aplin to lead off the 3rd. The 30-y.o. struck out three in his third Grapefruit League start.
Michael Taylor started in CF and led off but was 0-for-3 with a strikeout. He was followed by FA pickup Delta Cleary Jr. who struck out in his lone at-bat.
Matt Skole began in the field at 3B and was 1-for-3 with two strikeouts. Cutter Dykstra was his replacement as a pinch-runner and at third, and also struck out in his only plate appearance.
With the loss, the Nats fall to 4-7-1 for the spring. They host the Astros in Viera tomorrow, a game which is slated for a live MASN broadcast and a tape-delay showing on the MLB Network.
Luke. What is your opinion still about the growing
In Cleary jr and Cat Ballou this spring in bumping up a level
With span injury. Taylor breaks camp with big club?
Lisson emerging as a keen utility guy in RF. 3b 1b????
He and mini cozzi balances line up along with Keyes
As Wooten and Estarlin land on city isle ??!
Until I know who’s been released, I can’t infer who will go where. What I do know after five years of running this site is that there are always more guys stalled at Potomac than most people care for. That’s part of what makes High-A simultaneously fascinating and frustrating.