Nats Sweep “Doubleheader”
In split-squad action, the Nats regulars beat the Mets 8-5 in Viera, while the reserves beat the Astros 9-7 in Kissimmee.
Jordan Zimmermann got the home start and tossed four and 2/3rds innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks. He struck out six, but was denied the “W” as Craig Stammen blew the save by allowing the third Mets run to score. Jeremy Accardo was the sole minor-leaguer to appear in Viera, giving up a run in the 9th on a leadoff triple to former Washington farmhand Brian Bixler and an RBI groundout.
Ross Ohlendorf’s woes continued with another poor outing as the road starter, charged with four runs on five hits and three walks to balloon his spring ERA to 7.36 after four appearances. He was followed by Ryan Perry, who gave up a run on two hits and no walks over the next two innings.
Erik Davis got the win as one of four relievers to turn in an inning to close out the game. Jeff Mandel got the save despite giving up a run in the 9th in his first “A” game appearance.
Anthony Rendon continues to make the case for making Matt Skole the Harrisburg third baseman and himself the starter in Syracuse with a 4-for-5, 3RBI afternoon, including his fourth HR of the spring — a go-ahead two-run shot in the 8th. Micah Owings (3-for-5) doubled twice and drove in two, while Corey Brown singled and doubled to join Rendon as multi-hit batters as the “baby Nats” spanked the Houston minor-league hurlers for 17 hits total.
Estarlin Martinez (double in the 9th) and Ricky Hague (groundout in the 8th) also drove in runs in the split-squad game, which saw the Nationals overcome deficits of 4-0 and 5-4 with a two-run 8th and three-run 9th.
The next round of cuts are expected to be announced later this afternoon or early this evening.
I have to throw in my 2 cents from yesterday’s thread; agree completely with Joe Jackson on Alex Meyer. 5 scoreless this spring and a huge upside for a bauble that Rizzo wanted but didn’t need.
Rendon’s really kicking ass this spring. Luke, I think you were the one saying to keep him off 2nd base because of his porcelain ankles. His OPS has to be above 1.300 by now!
What a hitter.
Rendon needs to see major league pitching … both starters and relievers. I think Syracuse would provide him that training as opposed to Harrisburg. And unlike Skole his fielding is pretty close to major league ready so …
Five scoreless innings – pretty thin foundation there. Does Meyer have upside? Heck yes! But don’t forget that Rizzo managed to flip one year of Morse plus Alex Meyer (#63 prospect on Sickels’ site) for three years of Span and A.J. Cole (#89 prospect). Cole is almost exactly two years younger than Meyer, and so will be coming along at a time when the Nats will need low priced pitching. Rizzo is playing chess, not checkers.
To paraphrase the late, great Earl Weaver: “These guys aren’t in the org anymore; I deal with the living.”
Granted, Weaver was talking about injuries, but I think his point applies because it’s just a waste of emotion to pine over the guys that have been traded away or lost to the Rule 5 draft. Wish them well and hope they do well – it never hurts to have the perception that there’s more talent than roster slots.