Powered by the minor-leaguers, Washington rallied for six runs in the 9th inning en route to a 6-2 win over Houston this afternoon.
Stephen Strasburg got the start and ramped up to five innings, allowing the first Astros run on two hits with no walks and four K’s. The “W” went to Roenis Elías as the pitcher of record after the 31-y.o. survived two hits in the 8th inning before rolling a 6-4-3 DP.
Carter Kieboom and Yadiel Hernandez hit back-to-back doubles to tie the game at 1-1 with one out in the 9th. Following an Emilio Bonifacio single that pushed Hernandez to third, Luis Garcia plated the go-ahead run with an opposite-field single to left field. Kieboom would finish the scoring with a base-loaded walk – the fourth of the inning.
The victory was just the sixth in 18 Grapefruit League games this spring for Washington.
The Nats remain in West Palm Beach to host the Yankees tomorrow, with Patrick Corbin slated to start. MASN will be televising the game, but there will be no radio feed to avoid FP.