Nats Drop Spring Opener, 8-3

The Nats picked up where they left off in October, giving up two homers and struggling to score in an 8-3 loss to the Marlins.

Josh Rogers got the start and served up the first longball in the second of his two innings pitched for the “L.” Recently signed FA Erasmo Ramírez (and former Tiger) was scratched for thee runs in the 3rd while NRI Carl Edwards, Jr. gave up the second homer in the 4th, an Earl Weaver Special that extended the Miami lead to 7-0.

Washington got their field goal in the bottom of the 4th as they loaded the bases on walks by César Hernández and Juan Soto and an Alcides Escobar single. A two-run error by Marlins’ 3B Isan Díaz on a Josh Bell grounder and an RBI groundout by Keibert accounted for the tallies.

The Nats would finish 0-for-8 with RISP and leave on five runners total.

As expected, the watchlist contingent was small:

• Yasel Antuna followed Lane Thomas in left field and went 1-for-2 with no defensive chances
• Francisco Perez was the fifth reliever used and set the side down in order in the 7th
• Mason Thompson worked around a two-out single in the 8th and struck out the last batter

Washington remains in West Palm Beach tonight, hosting the Mets. Northpaw Josiah Gray is expected to start against southpaw Josh Walker. Charlie and Dave have the call on 106.7FM.