Three homers in the first two innings – including Trea Turner and Juan Soto going back-to-back – helped build a 4-1 lead that the bullpen didn’t blow as the Nats doubled up the Braves, 8-4 on Wednesday afternoon.
As they did on Tuesday night, the big flies covered up a subpar outing by the starting pitcher. Patrick Corbin put on eight baserunners (six hits, two walks) and let in three of them over four innings. [Insert spring training results bromide here]
However, the bullpen also got the job done as Sean Doolittle, Trevor Rosenthal, Kyle Barraclough, Justin Miller, and watchlister Austen Williams each threw one inning and combined for one unearned run (Rosenthal), three hits, and one walk while striking out five.
It was another light afternoon for the watchlist players, with three coming off the bench:
● Jake Noll subbed for Anthony Rendon at 3B and flew out in the 7th
● Drew Ward struck out in place of 1B Ryan Zimmerman to end the 7th
● Carter Kieboom pinch-hit for a single in the 6th and lofted a sac fly in the 8th as the team’s second SS
Today, the Nats hit the road for Ft. Myers and take on a split-squad Twins team. Erick Fedde is slated to make his second start and fifth appearance. The game can be heard on MLB Audio (Minnesota feed).
Prior to the game, the Nats made their second set of cuts:
● RHP Austin Adams was optioned to Fresno
● IFs Luis Garcia, Matt Reynolds, Jacob Wilson, UT Brandon Snyder, and C Taylor Gushue
were all reassigned to minor-league camp