The Nationals rallied for three in the bottom of the 7th to tie it at 4-4, but a two-run HR in the 9th broke the tie and gave the Cards the 6-4 win.
Jake Irvin stretched to four frames and ran his scoreless inning streak to 7⅓ in his third start of the spring. He allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out one. The loss went to Andry Lara on the aforementioned HR after a Robles in the 9th.
Dylan Crews started in RF and batted second, going 0-for-4 with a strikeout.
The rest of the watchlist players came off the bench…
…Andrew Pinckney subbed for Alex Call in RF and grounded out to end the game.
…Yoyo Morales pinch-ran for 1B Nathaniel Lowe and scored a run. He took over 1B and popped out in his only at-bat.
…Cayden Wallace pinch-ran for PH Andrés Chaparro and remained in the game as the DH but did not bat.
…Robert Hassell followed Crews in CF and grounded into a double play to end the 8th.
…Brady House replaced José Tena at 3B and grounded out to lead off the 9th.
…Darren Baker pinch-ran for Amed Rosario was caught looking for the 2nd out in the 9th.
…Daylen Lile pinch-ran for LF Juan Yepez in the 7th, replaced on defense in the 8th, and walked in 9th. He stole second base twice.
…Evan Reifert retired just one of five batters as he walked four, three of whom came around to score – the last two on a two-run single off RHP Cole Henry on the first batter Henry faced.
The loss drops Washington back to .500 at 5-5. The Nats head for Jupiter, FL on Wednedsay. Shinnosuke Ogasawara is expected to start.
Prior to the game, the Nats reassigned the following players to minor-league camp:
- RHP Daison Acosta
- RHP Marquis Grissom Jr.
- RHP Jack Sinclair
- RHP Tyler Stuart
- RHP Jarlin Susana
- C Caleb Lomavita
- C Max Romero
As expected, OF Stone Garrett cleared waivers and was outrighted to Rochester.