Crews Goes Deep in 9-3 Nats Win
Three Nationals went deep—including some minor-leaguer named Dylan Crews—in a 9-3 win over the Marlins yesterday afternoon.
Crews, who started in LF, doubled ahead of Luis García Jr.’s two-run homer in the top of the 3rd inning. Victor Robles followed with a solo shot.
Crews would do the same in the top of the 4th then reach on an error in the 5th. He would be lifted in favor of Robert Hassell in the field in the bottom of the inning, giving Crews a line of 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.
The rest of the watchlisters came off the bench or in relief:
- Trey Lipscomb subbed for C.J. Abrams at SS but was 0-for-2
- James Wood was the second RF after Lane Thomas but went hitless in two AB with one run scored
- Jacob Young replaced Robles in CF and then misunderstood the assignment, getting hit by a pitch in the 7th then striking out in the 9th
- Brady House followed Nick Senzel at 3B and went 0-for-2
- Darren Baker subbed for García at 2B and grounded out in his lone AB
- Hassell struck out to lead off the 8th while playing five defensive innings (no chances)
- Israel Pineda pinch-ran and scored a run for Robles in the 6th, replaced Keibert Ruiz behind the plate, then singled in the 8th
- Mitchell Parker pitched the 9th and worked around a one-out single with a game-ending double play
The win went to Patrick Corbin with two runs allowed on two hits (one HR) and no walks while striking out two in his third spring start.
Jake Irvin is expected to start tonight in Port St. Lucie. The game will only be broadcast via MLB.tv and SNY.
The signing of Eddie Rosario pretty definitively shuts the door for any prospect to break camp with the team. That makes the roster something approaching:
RF: Thomas, CF: Robles, LF: Rosario, 3B: Senzel, SS: Abrams, 2B: Garcia, 1B: Gallo, C: Ruiz, DH: Meneses
Backups: Young (OF), Nunez (MIF), Vargas (Util), Adams (C)
Others in the mix: Alu (Util), Yepez (1B/DH), Millas (C), Winker (DH/LF), L. Diaz (1B/DH), Garrett (OF), Kieboom (3B), Call (OF)
If I were Meneses, I’d start feeling some pressure, though. Senzel, Garcia and Ruiz/Adams shouldn’t feel complacent either, nor any of the OFs with James Wood doing what he’s been doing.
that analysis is spot on.
I’d go with Millas over Adams and Winker over Young but that second one doesn’t do much for the big clubs defense.
will be interesting to see if Wood continues to get regular starts
I’m all in on Millas, by far the best defensive catcher in camp!
Parker with three appearances and no walks, Herz with two and five walks. SSS caveats firmly in place. is there room in the AAA starting rotation for both of them? do they pull the trigger and make either a reliever in ’24?
that’s all I’ve got. sorry, I’m afraid of the deep.
The Nats won’t make anyone a reliever until he’s out of options!
Speaking of which, what’s the latest on whether Adon has this mystery 4th option?
the Roster Resource site that Todd referenced as the basis for his post now lists him as having one option where it didn’t before. I’ve seen no reporting on the change
I see that FanGraphs now lists Adon with one option, which it also didn’t before. Strange. But good for the Nats.
I just looked at the box score from Tuesday. All of the homers and Crews’s double were off Jesus Luzardo, the former Nats’ draft pick whose trade has been often lamented by some.