The Nats trailed 2-0 after eight innings, but took advantage of a walk, an error, and a wild pitch to score the first run and got a two-out single from Jose “Orange” Marmolejos to score the second run and tie the game at 2-2 after eight and a half innings.
In the bottom of the 9th, Rafael Bautista made catch at the CF wall with one out rob Kyle Tucker while Chris Smith worked around a two-out walk to prevent a(nother) loss to the Astros.
Erick Fedde got the start instead of Gio Gonzalez, who threw a bullpen yesterday, and gave up the first Houston run on two hits and two walks over three innings in his third appearance of the spring.
Victor Robles was the only Watchlist player to start (CF), but went 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
Coming the bench…
● Bautista took over CF from Robles but tapped back to the mound to end the 8th.
● Stevenson reached on the Astros’ error in the 9th and scored the tying run.
● Marmolejos subbed for Matt Adams at 1B and, as aforementioned, had an RBI single with two out in the 9th.
● Pedro Severino was the second catcher of the game (Wieters) but grounded into a force play to end the 9th.
Washington remains home as the St. Louis Cardinals come to West Palm Beach tomorrow. Tanner Roark is scheduled to start for the Nats. The game will be broadcast on both MASN and WJFK 106.7 FM.