Soto Powers Late Rallies for Nats over Tigers, 5-4

Juan Soto only made two plate appearances yesterday, but he made them count – an RBI double in the 8th to pull the Nats within one at 3-2, a bases-loaded walk in the 9th to put the Nats up, 5-3. The latter proved to be critical when Bryan Harper coughed up a two-out homer in the 9th that got the Tigers within one.

The elder Harper, who has been scored upon in three of five spring appearances, then gave up a single but got the third and final out in the 9th for the “save” of a 5-4 Washington win.

Edwin Jackson got the start and gave up the first Detroit run on two walks and three hits. The win went to Matt Grace for a scoreless 7th while Austin Adams set down the side in order in the 8th for the hold.

Victor Robles started in CF but was hitless (0-for-3) for the third straight game, dropping his spring average to .222. Andrew Stevenson was to his right in left field in the 1st and went 1-for-3 with two whiffs to improve his BA to .281 for the spring. Pedro Severino got the assignment behind the plate but was also 0-for-3, which lowered his BA to .200.

Rafael Bautista came off the bench to pinch-run for Brian Goodwin and play centerfield and was 0-for-2 (.091). Jose Marmolejos took over LF from Stevenson and singled in the 8th and scored on a passed ball. He would finish 1-for-2 to improve his spring batting line to .237.

The Nats return to West Palm Beach tonight to host the Mets. Max Scherzer is expected to start while the game will be broadcast both on MASN and WJFK 106.7FM (assuming there’s nothing Redksins-related to pre-empt the broadcast).