The wins may be meaningless, but it’s a refreshing change of pace from past springs as the Nats doubled up the Astros, 4-2 for their fourth straight win yesterday afternoon.
Max Scherzer put on four baserunners in his two innings of work but let in just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out two. The win went to Yusmeiro Petit, who laid three goose eggs on the scorebooard after Scherzer.
Austin Voth struck out two and let up one hit as the first of a trio of relievers who were awarded holds before Michael Brady came on to close out the 9th for the save.
Trea Turner (0-for-1) and Wilmer Difo (1-for-2) were among the starting nine and combined to reach base four times. Turner drew a pair of walks while Difo took one free pass in the 2nd and connected for a double in the 4th.
Matt Skole came off the bench to replace Tyler Moore at 1B and also walked. He scored in the 8th on a Scott Sizemore double.
Christopher Bostick went 0-for-1 with a walk as Jason Martinson’s sub at 3B. The Nats notched six walks total during the game.
Andrew Stevenson was the final watchlister to see game action, coming in during the bottom of the 9th as a defensive replacement in CF. He made one putout.
The Nats stay on the road with a visit to Lakeland to face the Tigers this afternoon. Gio Gonzalez is expected to get the start. The game can be heard on MLB Audio (with the away feed).