Nats Lose Third Straight, 7-2
Another four-run 5th did in the Nats as they dropped their third straight exhibition game, 7-2 to the Marlins.
Patrick Corbin stretched to four innings in his third spring start, giving up a run on three hits and no walks while striking out three. The loss went to Alex Colomé, who was charged with the aforementioned four runs on five hits (one solo HR) in his sole inning thrown.
Jeter Downs was the only watchlister to start and went hitless in three at-bats while playing all nine innings. Four others came off the bench in the 8th:
- Brady House followed Michael Chavis at 3B. He drew a walk in the 8th and scored on a sac fly
- Brenner Cox replaced Stone Garrett and struck out in the 9th
- Drew Millas subbed for Riley Adams behind the plate and struck out in the 9th
- Jared McKenzie took over LF from Corey Dickerson and fielded two balls (flyout, single) but did not bat
Tonight is the first of three (3) MASN telecasts as the Nationals host the Mets in West Palm Beach. Josiah Gray is scheduled to pitch against Kodai Senga.
The Nats sent down Jake Alu yesterday. He should have been the very last cut if there was one for him. It was already dumb that they had playing a lot of 2nd base as he had the best metrics at 3rd base of anyone in the minors.
What is best for Alu? He could ride the pine for the Nats as the #2 UT, getting a few ABs every 2 weeks. Or, he could play every day in AAA and be ready for a callup in case of injury.
I’ll take door#2 Monty
There’s been some scuttlebutt that Alu is hurt, or at least “banged up,” although Mark Zuckerman didn’t mention that in his post about the cuts.
As I’ve said, I have no idea if Alu is an MLB player, but in the very SSS in the spring, he hit .333. They still have in camp Chavis (.167) and Downs (.118), both of whom did nothing during the season to indicate that they’re any better than this. Valera (.154) is also still in the big-league camp.
Jeremy de la Rosa was among the others optioned yesterday. He wasn’t going to make the club straight out of A+, but he seems to have acquitted himself well. It’s interesting that they optioned him to Harrisburg despite his struggles/injury during his short time in Wilmington. That seems aggressive on the promotion ladder. They do have a logjam of OF prospects behind him, though.
That said, it’s definitely better for Alu’s development to keep playing every day in the minors rather than riding the pine in the minors. There’s a good chance that Candelario will be flipped at the trade deadline (if he remembers how to hit). There’s also a chance that Garcia will struggle to hit consistently at 2B. I guess it will be interesting to see if the Nats have Alu playing more 3B or 2B at Rochester. Presumably Kieboom will be there as well, whenever he gets healthy.
I’m just perplexed by the Nats treating Chavis and Downs as MLB options. They’ve done nothing in the spring to dispel concerns that they can’t really hit.
Chavis has shown to have some pop in his bat, something the Nats are short on. he can also play multiple positions, something the Nats like. no reason not to see if he can catch lightning in a bottle.
Downs has an option left, sad but that’s his greatest value