Ronny Cruz’s two-run HR broke a 1-1 tie in the 7th as the Nats downed the Astros, 3-1. It was the second time this spring Washington has Grapefruit League games in consecutive days.
Andrew Alvarez was stretched to four innings and allowed just one hit, no walks, and struck out five in his second start (third appearance).
Joining him in the starting lineup were Yoyo Morales (3B) and Christian “Hey It’s” Franklin (LF), but the two watchlisters both went 0-for-2 with Morales caught looking twice.
Here’s how the rest did coming off the bench or out of the ‘pen:
- Seaver King subbbed for C.J. Abrams at SS and drew a walk in the 8th.
- Yeremy Cabrera replaced Robert Hassell in CF and popped into a DP to end the 8th.
- Abimelec Ortiz took over 1B from Andrés Chaparro and connected for his first hit in 2026 with a single in 7th.
- Cruz followed José Tena at 2B before hitting the game-winner.
- Griff McGarry worked around two baserunners (hit, walk) in the 8th to earn his third hold.
This morning, the Nats optioned RHPs Riley Cornelio and Luis Perales to Rochester and reassigned five more guys to minor-league camp:
IF Sergio Alcantara
RHP Tyler Baum
C Caleb Lomavita
IF Orelvis Martinez
RHP Bryce Montes de Oca
The Nats will be off until Tuesday with the final scheduled off day on Monday.