The Cards got to Cade Cavalli for three runs in the 2nd and two off Mason Thompson in the 5th in another Nats loss, 5-4.
Washington’s #1/#2 prospect set the side down in order in the 1st on a pair of K’s and flyball to right, but ran into trouble in the 2nd.
St. Louis opened the second frame with four consecutive hits. Nolan Arenado led off with a double, followed by singles by Corey Dickerson and Paul DeJong, the latter of which plated Arenado. Harrison Bader then sent in Dickerson and DeJong with a two-run double for the early 3-0 lead for St. Louis.
Cavalli took care of Bader with slick pickoff then rolled two groundouts to get out of the inning. He then set the side down in order in the 3rd, getting his third whiff. Cavalli finished with three earned runs allowed on three hits over three innings with no walks.
In the post-start interview, Cavalli went full LaLoosh, citing he “felt good” and “filled up the zone” (see above) while glossing over the rough patch, just like the MLB.com story.
Cavalli is expected to make at least one MLB ST start in five days.
No other watchlist players appeared, as the Nats used NRI’s and OG’s off the bench.
This afternoon, the Nats travel to Port St. Lucie for the first time to visit the Mets. RHP Erick Fedde is slated to start for Washington, with LHP David Peterson as his counterpart for New York. The game can be heard locally on 106.7FM.