Nats Double Up Astros in Grapefruit League Opener
Robert Hassell’s three-run double in the top of the 9th snapped a 3-3 tie as the Nationals doubled up the Astros, 6-3 in the opener of 2025 Spring Training.
The bases-clearing double gave Tyler Stuart gave the dreaded blown-save-win after giving up two runs in the bottom of the 8th. Marquis Grissom then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up the save.
The “start” went to Jake Irvin, though all nine pitchers used pitched a single inning. Jarlin Susana was the only other watchlist pitcher to appear, laboring throiugh a 34-pitch 6th in which he gave up a hit, walked two, and struck out two.
Dylan Crews was the sole watchlist player to start. He went 1-for-2 with an RBI and started in RF.
Six watchlist position players came off the bench…
- Brady House played 3B and went 0-for-2 with a walk and scored a run ahead of Hassell’s hit
- Prior to the 9th, Hassell lined out and struck out, following Jacob Young in CF
- Yoyo Morales took over 1B and was 1-for-3 with an RBI and two whiffs
- Daylen Lile was the second LF and went 0-for-2
- Andrew Pinckney subbed for Crews and was 0-for-2
- Darren Baker followed Trey Lipscomb at 2B and was hitless in two AB
The Nats remain in West Palm Beach on Sunday to host the Mets. Shinnosuke Ogasawara is expected to start. The game can be heard locally on 980AM.
so happy to be watching baseball again. while I’m sure winter is not done with us folks in the Mid-Atlantic the green grass of an outfield is helpful.
The first game report of the year! Hooray! That’s almost as good news as House taking a walk . . .
Nice to see Hassell get a big clutch hit. It was off a AA pitcher, but it’s good to build confidence somewhere. Nice opposite-field swing, nearly left the park.
Hassell video currently the top item on this page, although that will change over time:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/team/_/name/wsh/washington-nationals
I couldn’t figure out how to link to it directly.
say what you will about his development and potential but they don’t call him Bobby Barrels for nothing
Roll out the Barrels polka ?
So Cavali won’t pitch in any spring training games at all?
He’s been rehabbing for 2 years – how much more do they have to baby him?
Where did you see that he won’t pitch this spring? If that’s the case, they might as well release him. He starts arbitration soon.
Zuckerman had a note about it on Saturday and yesterday there was a longer story in SI. I am not convinced that he is recovering from just one procedure.
“Jarlin Susana was the only other watchlist pitcher to appear, laboring throiugh a 34-pitch 6th in which he gave up a hit, walked two, and struck out two.”
New league record.