After being limited to five on Tuesday, the Washington Nationals rapped out 13 hits in a 14-8 win over the Houston Astros.
Jeremy Hellickson turned in the obligatory two scoreless innings to round out the presumptive starting five. He put on two baserunners (hit, walk) and struck out three. Joe Ross was the first man out of the ‘pen but was dinged for two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk over an inning and 2/3rds.
This might have been cause for more concern had the Nats not been up by five runs, thanks to a one-run 1st and four-run 2nd with a lineup that was mostly regulars. Ryan Zimmerman did not appear for the fifth straight game; no word on whether his next appearance will be on the field or on a milk carton.
After Austen Williams got the last out of the 4th, the Nats answered with three runs to take an 8-2 lead and send out the subs. Williams then pitched a 1-2-5 fifth to earn his second hold in as many appearances this spring.
Jose Marmolejos was the lone watchlist player to start. The “Orange” remained hitless this spring but drew a walk and scored a run while going 0-for-2. Here’s a rundown of how the others fared:
- Raudy Read took over catching duties from Yan Gomes and went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
- Luis Garcia followed Brian Dozier at 2B and went 0-for-1 with a walk and a run scored.
- Victor Robles was the second DH and went 0-for-2 but stole his second base.
- Tres Barrera pinch-hit for Robles but struck out for the second time in as many PA.
- Carter Kieboom was the third SS and singled in the bottom of the 8th.
- Jake Noll pinch-ran for Adrian Sanchez in the 5th and walked as the team’s second 3B in the 7th.
Max Scherzer makes his second start this afternoon against Boston at “Fenway South.” The game can be seen on MLB.tv and heard on MLB Audio (Red Sox feed for both).