Brandon Snyder’s grand slam in the bottom of the 8th sealed the deal, as the Nats ‘pen was not as bad as the Twins’ for a 10-6 win.
SSDG – Patrick Corbin continued the streak of the starters’ brilliance, allowing an unearned run (thanks to Carter Kieboom) in the 1st but otherwise dominating the Minnesota lineup with three innings pitched, two hits allowed, no walks, and one whiff.
Justin Miller and Ryan Zimmerman emerged from witness protection both made their spring debuts, with Miller getting brewed for two runs on two hits in the 4th as the first man out of the ‘pen while Zimmerman went 0-for-2 while playing three innings at 1B.
James Bourque, who was incorrectly listed as pitching both the 5th and 6th at virtual press, pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the 5th. Wil Crowe remains in late-season form as Minnesota got to him for two runs on a one-out double and a two-run HR in the 6th.
The win went to Sammy Solis, who was also in late-season form as he coughed up the tying run in the top of the 8th while giving up a hit and a walk while fanning one.
Carter Kieboom started at SS and went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored. He was the lone watchlist player in the starting lineup. Here’s how the others fared coming off the bench:
- Jake Noll followed Anthony Rendon at 3B and went 1-for-2 with a run scored.
- Jose “Orange” Marmolejos took over the Zimmerman at 1B and remains hitless with another 0-for-2 game.
- Luis Garcia pinch-ran for Michael Taylor and was the second SS, and committed two errors while flying out to RF to end the 7th.
- Raudy Read was the second backstop and grounded out to 2B to lead off the 8th.
With the win, the Nats improve to 5-3 for the spring. They’ll host their ballpark co-tenant, the Astros, tomorrow afternoon. The game can be heard on MLB audio (Houston feed).