A three-run 4th proved to be the difference in this one as Boston beat Washington, 5-3 Tuesday afternoon.
Joe Ross was lit up twice with back-to-back one-out homers in the top of the 1st by Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez before issuing a walk. He settled down to retire six straight before giving up a two-out safety to Betts, who was thrown out stealing to end the 3rd.
Just three watchlist players were used.
• Drew Ward pinch-ran for Annthony Rendon in the bottom of the 6th and drew a bases-loaded walk in the 7th.
• Brian Goodwin subbed for Chris Heisey in the top of the 6th, walked to lead off the 7th, scored on Ward’s BB, and lined into a unassisted DP at 1B to end the 8th.
• Koda Glover struck out the side in the 6th – the second time he’s done that this spring.
The loss drops the Nats to 5-5 on the spring. Stephen Strasburg is expected to make the start today against St. Louis in Jupiter, FL.
As noted in the comments, Nick Lee’s injury has been revealed as a non-displaced elbow fracture while John Lannan has been signed to minor-league deal, apparently to convert him to a submarine reliever.