Two unearned runs in the 9th – courtesy of four (4) errors – made it closer than it should have been, as the Nats got back over .500 with a 5-4 win over the Marlins.
Stephen Strasburg pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and fanning two in his spring debut (hey, that rhymes!). Veterans Trevor Rosenthal, Kyle Barraclough, and Matt Grace each put up a zero on the scoreboard before Tanner Rainey reverted to this spring’s mean with two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk in the 6th inning.
Home runs powered the Washington offense as Yan Gomes, Brian Dozier, Michael Taylor, and Victor Robles each left the park on a solo HR. Robles, who was the team’s DH, also hit a leadoff double and scored on Howie Kendrick’s two-out single in the 5th.
Four watchlist players came off the bench:
• Carter Kieboom took over 2B and struck out in his lone AB.
• Jose “Orange” Marmolejos grounded into double play as the second 1B, where he committed an error.
• Luis Garcia followed Trea Turner at SS and grounded out. He also committed an error.
• Rudy Read pinch-hit for Robles and was caught looking.
The Nationals return to West Palm Beach this afternoon to host the Twins. You can hear the game locally on 106.7FM or via MLB Audio (Washington feed).