Nats Homer Three Times in 5-3 Win over Astros
While the odds are still good they’ll be teammates next month in Harrisburg, for one night Carter Kieboom and Taylor Gushue pwned A.L. Cy Young runner-up Justin Verlander with three homers in a 5-3 Nats win over the Astros last night in West Palm Beach.
Kieboom got the start at 2B and also walked to finish 2-for-2 with two runs scored and three RBI. He was joined in the starting lineup by Victor Robles in his usual spot (CF) and usual slot (leadoff). Robles also reached base three times with a single and two walks, racked up two steals (nos. 4 and 5), and scored the insurance run on a passed ball in the 7th. Shhh. Both committed their second error of the spring.
The barrage took the edge off winning pitcher Stephen Strasburg’s struggles, as the Nats’ No. 1 pick from 2009 allowed two runs on five hits and four hits over four and 2/3rds innings while striking out six. Vidal Nuño stranded two while getting the last out in the 5th and a quartet of relievers came out for an inning apiece, with the first three earning a hold and the last, Henderson Alvarez, getting the save.
Jake Noll was the lone watchlist player to both come off the bench and get an at-bat as the 1B-3B struck out to end 7th while pinch-hitting for Matt Grace.
The Nats remain home in West Palm Beach to host the Braves. Patrick Corbin is scheduled to make his fourth spring appearance. The game will be broadcast on MASN and you can avoid FP by tuning into the Atlanta radio feed on MLB Audio.
While his OPS is still 1.100+, Noll looks like he’s headed to minor league camp any day now. That being said, he sure made the most of his chance to impress the front office.
Any doubts of C. Kieboom ascendency have been erased this spring. Wow, off Verlander no less. Do these guys go to Harrisburg or Siberia now.
Noll survived this morning’s second round of cuts. He’s zero for his last eight, although at least one of those was on an ump-wants-to-go-home strikeout called on a pitch off the plate and a couple more were lineouts. Outs are outs, though, and he ain’t hitting .750 no more. You’re right, though, he has done pretty much everything possible to put himself on the radar, and at this point, I’d be moderately surprised if he doesn’t make his major league debut at some point this season (probably September).
I love what Carter Kieboom has done at the plate, but if yesterday’s game is any indication, he needs to get those reps at second base before the Nats can think about bringing him up. This is why Mike Rizzo signed Dozier, after all.
Fresno rotation at this point looks like Fedde, Voth, and McGowin for sure, plus probably Ross and Alvarez. But then there’s Copeland and Espino, and maybe Nuno if he doesn’t make the team and doesn’t opt out. I could see the Nats stashing one or two of Ross/Fedde/Voth/McGowin at Harrisburg to keep a depth starter or a couple close by, since Wil Crowe doesn’t look anywhere close to ready and the Nats evidently don’t think Sterling Sharp is close enough to give him a look against major leaguers in spring training. Still a possibility that one of those guys (or Alvarez) makes the team as a long man, too.
Both Kieboom shots supposedly were into a pretty stiff breeze. Impressive stuff.
Non-AB cameos for Yadiel Hernandez and Alec Keller, among others.
Willie Nats come. Out. With a bobble head Sippy. Cup?? Lol
Over FP, Luke ??
Funny that Nats list Cowgill and Keller as LF when both have played CF and RF in prior campaigns