Trea Turner drove in three of the four Nats runs with a double in the 3rd and a two-run single in the 4th as the Nats doubled up the Astros, 4-2.
Anibal Sanchez broke the streak of strong starting pitching as Houston had no problem in the 1st, scoring both runs on three hits and a walk. He was also dinged for a fourth hit in his second inning of work and did not strike out a batter in either inning.
Led by Joe Ross, who was credited with the “W,” the Washington ‘pen combined for eight scoreless innings with three hits and three walks allowed and six K’s. Austen Williams was the lone watchlist pitcher to appear but came on in the 9th for the save, retiring the side in order on three groundouts.
Victor Robles and Raudy Read both got the starts at their best defensive positions – CF and DH, respectively. They both reached base twice with a single and a walk and struck out once. Robles scored twice and stole his third base of the spring.
Three watchlist IFs appeared in the game as reserves:
- Jake Noll took over 1B from Matt Adams and popped out to the catcher for the first out in the 7th.
- Carter Kieboom followed Turner at SS and grounded into a double play to end the 7th.
- Luis Garcia was the second 2B but struck out for the 5th time in 14 PA for the second out in the 8th.
The Nats head back to Jupiter to visit the Marlins on Monday afternoon. The game can be heard on MLB Audio (Miami feed).