Nats Blast Astros, 10-3

The drumbeat to “play the kids” just got a little louder as Robert Hassell and Brady House both homered while Dylan Crews smacked a two-run double in a 10-3 win over the Astros yesterday afternoon that got the Nats back to .500 (2-2).

Hassell, who started in LF, also struck out twice. Crews started in CF and stole second after getting Robles’d in the 5th. Can someone let him know that that’s not part of the deal playing center for Washington?

James Wood rounded out the all-prospect OF with a start in RF and his fourth hit in as many games, going 1-for-3 with his third walk to lower his spring average to .444 (4-for-9). Trey Lipscomb started at 2B and went 0-for-2 with a walk

House replaced Jake Alu at 3B in the 6th, homered in the 7th, and singled in the 8th.

Other watchlisters and notable minor-leaguers:

• Drew Millas was the second backstop and went 0-for-3
• Jacob Young pinch-hit for Crews and replacedhim in CF, going 1-for-2 with an RBI on an infield single
• Nasim Nuñez followed Ildemaro Vargas at SS and was 1-for-2 at the plate
• Darren Baker subbed for Lipscomb and went 0-for-2
• Lucas Knowles pitched the 9th but was lit up for two runs on two hits (one HR) while walking none and striking out two

The Nats remain in West Palm Beach for another afternoon, hosting the Red Sox this afternoon. Jackson Rutledge is expected to start. The game will be televised by MASN.