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Nats Drop Spring Opener on a Pair of HRs

11 whiffs, two pickoffs offset six walks drawn

The Astros scored all three runs via the home run in a 3-2 win over the Nationals in the 2018 Grapefruit League opener.

Tommy Milone got the start and worked around a 1st-inning single with a double play and struck out two in the 2nd to face the minimum of six. Jaron Long was the first man out of the ‘pen and gave up a two-run HR to Max Stassi after hitting the leadoff batter. He then retired the next six in a row.

The Houston pitchers held the Nationals to a pair of leadoff walks – Howie Kendrick in the 2nd, Brian Goodwin in the 4th – through four innings before they knotted things up in the 5th.

Andrew Stevenson doubled with out and scored on a Chris Dominguez single. After Dominguez stole 2nd, Rafael Bautista whiffed and Victor Robles walked. Jose “Orange” Marmolejos squeezed in Dominguez with a two-out single for the 2-2 score.

Houston took the lead back right back as Houston’s J.D. Davis greeted Brady Dragmire with a solo HR to left field. The Astros got their fourth and final hit off Dragmire with one out in the 6th.

Wander Suero and Tim Collins each put up a goose egg, with Suero striking out the side in the 7th and Collins fanning one in the 8th.

Washington drew a pair of walks in the 6th (Reid Brignac, Kelvin Gutierrez) but did not get a runner into scoring position as Houston erased ’em both with a caught stealing and pickoff.

Victor Robles doubled to lead off the 8th for the Nats’ fourth and final hit and was stranded at third. Washington went in order in the 9th.

Here’s a rundown of how the Watchlist players did:
   ●  Robles 1-1, 2B, following Goodwin in CF
   ●  Marmolejos 1-2, K, replacing Matt Adams at 1B
   ●  Taylor Gushue 0-2, K as the starting DH
   ●  Pedro Severino 0-2, K as the starting C
   ●  Gutierrez 0-1, BB, replacing Dominguez at 3B
   ●  Rafael Bautista 0-3, 2K as the starting RF

The Nationals head to Jupiter to take on the Marlins minor-leaguers (and the ones they’ll send to Miami *rimshot!*) with Tanner Roark expected to make the start. The game can be heard locally on 1580 AM and online via MLB Audio.

3 Commments

  1. Milone looked decent. Every good outing by him increases his (slim) chances of making the team as 5th starter. He may be a soft tosser, but that would provide a good contrast to the fireballers already in the rotation. Yes, I know Rizzo likes hard throwers, but what counts is not giving up runs. Suero struck out the side, but he threw far too many pitches outside the zone. I was more impressed with Collins. I think he has a real chance of making the team if he can continue to demonstrate that he can get guys out. Robles is something else: when he’s on the field you have to watch him. At bat, running the bases (I thought he should have tried for a triple rather than slowing down at 2B), or making a very nice catch in the field. If Harper leaves, the fans will put Robles on that pedestal. Imagine them playing the OF together!

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