Nats Walk Off Astros in Spring Opener
With single runs in their last two “ups,” the Nationals walked off the Astros to take the 2019 Grapefruit League opener, 7-6.
Carter Kieboom (1-1, BB) drew a walk to lead off the 9th, took second on a Hunter Jones sacrifice, and scored two batters later on Adrian Sanzhez’s two-out double.
The win went to Jimmy Cordero who worked around a two-out walk in the 9th, the sole inning he pitched.
Max Scherzer got the start and was Rickey Henderson’d by Jake Marisnick but recovered to pitch a scoreless 2nd. He gave up a walk, three hits, but struck out three in two innings of work.
Joe Ross put up two goose eggs, and put on two baserunners (hit, walk,) and fanned two; a good start for his battle to return to the Washington rotation.
Aaron Barrett’s first spring training appearance since 2015 was a mixed bag. While reportedly hitting the low 90s on the gun, he was also stung for two runs on two hits and a walk in a single inning, for which he was charged with a blown save.
The Nats got back in the game in the bottom of the 6th when the O.K. (Other Kieboom) went all right over the left field fence for an Earl Weaver Special that cut Houston’s 6-2 lead to 6-5. Spencer would figure in the tying tally as his botched grounder scored Sanchez to tie it in the bottom if the 8th.
Just two other watchlist players same game action. Jose “Orange” Marmolejos took over for Matt Adams at 1B and went 0-for-2 with a whiff. Luis Garcia pinch-hit for the DH Brandon Snyder and struck out two batters after Carter Kieboom led off the 7th with double. Garcia would walk after Carter Kieboom was sacrificed in the 9th and made it to third base on Sanchez’s game-ending hit.
Erick Fedde gets the start this afternoon against the Cardinals in Jupiter, FL. The game is on MLB.tv and can be heard on MLB Audio (away feed for both).
You forgot the best news–no one got hurt. 🙂
Garcia looked like he spent all winter in the weight room. Too bad we didn’t get to see him put a ball in play.
Ross was definitely getting after it out there. That’s what you want to see from the #6 starter.
I have to say I agree with Scherzer about the pitch clock. If the umps would just control the games better it wouldn’t be necessary. Anybody who needs to have 10 to 15 minutes shaved off the average game time in order to remain a fan isn’t much of a fan anyway.
Maybe Garcia and Difo will be weight room buddies
Luke. I have had my customary pot of coffee by noon so my synapses are full throttle.
Let’s discuss the free agent additions who may fall under the March term – in for audition – especially the recent Cowgill and O’ Dickson. As many of us have stated this winter – numerous guys might get pressed to Sens duty versus F- troop pergatory ( lol).
Goeddel , now Cowgill and Dickson lend right hand bats possibly for AA with Jones and Norfolk joining the lefty hitting legion for LuCroy .
Right ?
The choice between the Fresnites and the Radioactives will be interesting to watch … especially where the catchers are concerned. I note there are 5 in the major league camp. I guess the 17 year old will be in minor league camp on the other side of things? Be interesting to see where he gets to play.
Peric guys like Lowry , Reistretter and other org guys will be as flexible as yoyos .
Raffie might be kept close to D.C. In Burg especially coming off the knee injury
Who is the 17 year old again ??
The new Dominican LHB outfielder Jeremy De la Rosa … he is 17 apparently mature/advanced for his age he managed to do okay in the Instructs last season.
Might hurt his foot speed though, according to BP it had diminished last season from plus-plus.
It’s always been said that March is the cruelest month in baseball. That’s when arms are most likely to blow out.
Arms knees ankles ..
Israel Pineda
Where will he go? He’s a tweener … Raudy Read is the offense. Pineda and Severino more defensive, then there’s Spencer Kieboom … he hasn’t looked good defensively so far … I guess Luke gets to see Reetz and perhaps Wilmer Perez, another offensive catcher, gets Hagerstown this season.
Where does Dunlap, Cropley and the formerly
Ballyhooed USC Trojan Carrillo fit in the mix ??
Carillo looks better … his OBP wasn’t bad and he was the better defender over Cropley.
Dunlap is very interesting given his bat. He did extremely well in Hags with a .373 OBP and a .404 wOBA. 145 PA’s plus decent short stint in the Rookie league. Only 24. Sleeper? Question is how is he defensively? Statcorner.com liked his defense quite a bit. He was sent to AAA due to his performance in Hags and wasn’t overwhelmed. I guess we’ll get the lowdown from Luke on him as he seems Potomac bound? Guess we’ll see?
I recall hearing from the former USC middle infielder in Nats farm spoke glowingly of Carrillo .
Another guy further down the road to see how he develops is G Diaz ego swings lumber from the left side
5 errors 7 passed balls. But lots of innings at catcher. Some at first base. Not much bat yet but still just 18 this season. GCL?
Perhaps for Diaz
Seeing just a bit of a hitch in Eaton’s giddy up both on the steal and on the score from third?