Nats Edge Astros, 7-6
The bullpen coughed up five in the 8th, which proved to be the difference. Well, except maybe it was the Houston firemen that brought the P-E-T-R-O-L instead of Washington’s as the Nats won, 7-6.
Michael Chavis’s two-run homer capped off a five-run rally that began with back-to-back walks to start the inning, a double, and a triple.
Trevor Williams became the first starter to pitch into the 5th this spring as the offseason pickup gave up three runs on seven hits (one HR) over four and 2/3rds innings. He walked none and struck out three.
The decision went to Chad Kuhl, who wobbled through three innings of relief and let in two runs but got through the 9th unscathed.
Jeter Downs and James Wood were both in the starting lineup, batting 8th and 9th and manning shortstop and centerfield, respectively. Downs got his third hit of the spring (in only 22 AB!) and struck out once while Woods fanned twice in two trips to the plate.
Four watchlisters—three current, one former—saw game action:
- Jared McKenzie replaced Alex Call in LF in the 7th. He walked and scored a run in the 8th.
- ’22 2B/SS Yoander Rivero subbed for Downs at SS in the 7th and struck out in the 8th
- Elijah Green followed Wood in CF in the 7th and went 1-for-2 with a two-run triple. He scored the tying run ahead of the Chavis HR.
- Nathaniel Ochoa Leyva took over SS and pushed Rivero to 2B in the top of the 8th. He grounded out to end the 8th
The Nats return to Port St. Lucie this afternoon to face the Mets. Cade Cavalli is expected to make his first start of the spring (third appearance) against David Peterson. The game can only be seen on MLB.tv or SNY.
I’m trying not to let myself get worried about James Wood having struck out in 3 of his 4 ABs in ST due to the insanely small sample size, but the Nationals have a systemic problem with their players making contact, which makes me think it’s something built into their developmental approach, rather than a coincidence (every single Nats hitting prospect besides Alu and Armando Cruz has a K rate significantly above average). Wood’s biggest risk when he was drafted was his ability to make contact, hence his fall to the 2nd round. Keeping his K% well below 20% for the first half of the ’22 season is partly what fueled his meteoric rise, but it jumped to 28% in his time with the Nats. The exact same thing happened with Hassell.
I’ll be watching this closely to start the season.
There is the Cardinal way
Then there is the WASH way
James Wood K-rate 21.5%
Jordan Walker (Cardinal uber-prospect) 21.6%
just sayin
Another Tampa Bay Rays reunion
Please
Chris Archer davey and Hickey .
I’m also interested to see how the bullpen shakes out. The MLB FAs are each doing their best to get cut. Kuhl, Weems, Banda and Colome appeared to be favorites to make the OD roster, but have been awful so far. Edwards too has been bad, which could possibly open up a lot more spots for some “prospects”.
It’s interesting to see that they only view Irvin, Ferrer, Carrillo and Cronin in the mix. Of those, Irvin and Cronin have unsurprisingly made the strongest case to be included. While Ferrer looks interesting, still needs more time.
I am surprised that some of the AFL guys didn’t get a shot (Cate, Willingham, Ribalta or Knowles), but Cate’s dreadful AFL definitely didn’t help. As well as Yankosky, Troop or Parker, or even Bennett.
I noticed that Cate was on the travel roster for the game on Sunday, but he didn’t get any action. Yes, I share the head scratching about why several of the guys from the upper minors aren’t at least getting looks. Meanwhile, Ferrer is getting the level of MLB work of a guy with a chance to make the team even though he has barely pitched at AA. Please don’t rush him to the majors. There’s no reason to.
Don’t forget Thad Ward in all of this. He’s only had one shaky outing, and that was due in part to Jeter Downs not knowing what he was doing in CF. He’s certainly been better overall than most of the veteran retreads they have in camp.
To me, Cronin is the most interesting case. He seems like someone who should have gotten a look with the big club last year as they cycled through around 400 pitchers. They apparently have some reluctance about him, for some reason.
I think Cronin was assigned to AAA.
this is correct.
the same report said Rutledge to AA. the tutelage with Hanrahan continues
FredMD, I know you still think Rutledge can turn things around. I hope you’re right. It seems ambitious to skip him to AA, though, after spending all of last season at A. I also think they’re being ambitious moving de la Rosa to AA. He won’t play CF there, as that should be Hassell’s turf.
That’s disappointing. Just due to the dearth of lefties, I thought that might be the decisive factor to him making the roster. But I guess they have to let Anthony Banda put up a 6.00+ ERA, as he has in 3 of his past 4 seasons, for two months before Cronin will get a shot.