After losing a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 7th, the Nats responded in the top of the 8th with a double, single, and a fielder’s choice to reclaim the lead at 2-1, which the bullpen held for Washington’s fourth straight ST win.
Four watchlist players were in the starting lineup and played the entire game; two came off the bench:
- Jacob Young led off and played left field. He was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and a Robles and got caught stealing.
- James Wood batted second and played right field. He went 0-for-4 with a walk and a whiff and stole two bases.
- Trey Lipscomb batted seventh and played third base. He was 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
- Dylan Crews was the No. 8 batter and manned center field. He was 0-for-3 with a walk.
- Israel Pineda was the second backstop and caught the last four innings. His single in the 8th was the only hit in 12 RISP chances.
- Darren Baker subbed for Luis García Jr. in the 8th but did not come to the plate.
The Nats return to West Palm Beach to play the Astros as the home team. Zach Davies is expected to start. The game can be heard on MLB Audio with both teams broadcasting.
KIEBOOM OUTRIGHTED; HASSELL LIKELY TO OPEN SEASON ON I.L.
Former prospect Carter Kieboom was outrighted to Rochester after going 3-for-13 in eight games this spring. The Nats’ #2 pick in the 2016 draft had posted a line of .199/.297/.301 across parts of four MLB seasons.
Meanwhile, MASN’s Mark Zuckerman reports that Robert Hassell had an MRI that revealed a strained groin, and will likely begin 2024 on the I.L. Meanwhile, Daylen Lile has “resumed baseball activities” but is not yet cleared to play.