Astros Blast Nats, 7-1

The Nats ‘pen coughed up two-spots in each of the last three innings to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 7-1 loss to the Astros.

Starting pitcher Cade Cavalli gave up an unearned run with the “help” of the first of three errors and struck out six total over four innings. He was rewarded with a loss.

The Nats offense did their best imitation of the ’25 Blue Rocks with two (2) hits on the afternoon. Riley Adams singled with two outs in the 3rd to break up the no-hitter. Daylen Lile hit a leadoff HR in the 7th to avoid the shutout.

Abimelec Ortiz was the sole watchlist player in the starting lineup as the 24-y.o. played first base and went 0-for-2 to run his hitless streak to four games and 11 AB’s.

The rest of “our guys” came off the bench:

• Christhian Vaquero replaced Dylan Crews in CF and was 0-for-1
• Yoyo Morales pinch-hit for DH Brady House and drew a walk in the 6th, then struck out in the 8th.
• Ethan Petry replaced James Wood in RF and grounded out in his sole at-bat.
• Orelvis Martinez followed Luis García at 2B and struck out in the 9th.
• Jack Rogers replaced Lile in LF and grounded out in the 9th.
• Chad Lomavita subbed for Riley Adams and was 0-for-3 throwing out baserunners. He did not come to bat.

The Nats (6-4-3) will host the Yankees (10-3) tonight in West Palm Beach. Josiah Gray is slated to make his second start of the spring, opposed by Will Warren. The game can be heard locally on WJFK.