A grand slam in the 5th turned out to be the decisive blow as the Astros outslugged the Nats, 10-8
Starting Washington pitcher Josiah Gray pitched into the 4th but was dinged for two runs (one earned) on two doubles over three and a 1/3rd innings. He struck out five but walked none.
The loss went to Sean Doolittle, who retired just one of five batters as he got the bases drunk with two walks and a single before sobering them up with the aforementioned grand slam.
None of the scrubs to replace the position players were of the watchlist caliber while just two pitchers on our radar appeared:
- LHP Francisco made his third spring appearance and was smacked around again, giving up two runs on a walk and a homer in the 8th inning
- RHP Gerardo Carrillo gave up a two-out double followed by an infield single before getting the third and final out in the 9th
The Nats head back to Jupiter this afternoon to visit the Cards. Both hands on the keyboard: Cade Cavalli is getting the start for Washington, opposed by Miles Mikolas for St. Louis. The game can be heard on MLB Audio, with both teams broadcasting.