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Nats Bats Come Alive in 14-8 Win

After being limited to five on Tuesday, the Washington Nationals rapped out 13 hits in a 14-8 win over the Houston Astros.

Jeremy Hellickson turned in the obligatory two scoreless innings to round out the presumptive starting five. He put on two baserunners (hit, walk) and struck out three. Joe Ross was the first man out of the ‘pen but was dinged for two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk over an inning and 2/3rds.

This might have been cause for more concern had the Nats not been up by five runs, thanks to a one-run 1st and four-run 2nd with a lineup that was mostly regulars. Ryan Zimmerman did not appear for the fifth straight game; no word on whether his next appearance will be on the field or on a milk carton.

After Austen Williams got the last out of the 4th, the Nats answered with three runs to take an 8-2 lead and send out the subs. Williams then pitched a 1-2-5 fifth to earn his second hold in as many appearances this spring.

Jose Marmolejos was the lone watchlist player to start. The “Orange” remained hitless this spring but drew a walk and scored a run while going 0-for-2. Here’s a rundown of how the others fared:

  • Raudy Read took over catching duties from Yan Gomes and went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
  • Luis Garcia followed Brian Dozier at 2B and went 0-for-1 with a walk and a run scored.
  • Victor Robles was the second DH and went 0-for-2 but stole his second base.
  • Tres Barrera pinch-hit for Robles but struck out for the second time in as many PA.
  • Carter Kieboom was the third SS and singled in the bottom of the 8th.
  • Jake Noll pinch-ran for Adrian Sanchez in the 5th and walked as the team’s second 3B in the 7th.

Max Scherzer makes his second start this afternoon against Boston at “Fenway South.” The game can be seen on MLB.tv and heard on MLB Audio (Red Sox feed for both).

10 Commments

  1. The horizon ahead for salaries is quite interesting. The face of the franchise commanding what he is locked into while the hot corner Rice alum looking at numbers 34 passed on and more. Looks like the org will be relying on much Latin kids filling the league minimum year after year in need positions or the surprise domestic / NCAA alums .

  2. Actually, that didn’t round out the starting 5. No sign of Strasburg yet. Hadn’t heard that he’s hurt. Hopefully, he goes tomorrow.

    1. Sorry, you get used to certain guys who are like a Jaguar — great when they’re not in the shop!

  3. A side bar thought with free agency changing the baseball horizon especially in DC.
    The DH in NL should usher in to give clubs that extra bat / 25 th man to help certain managers compete as these free agents failing in 30-40 million PER year
    Adjusts the ceiling for many clubs ♣️

    1. House closings and game ending closings. Both stressful. Living through the former
      Interesting to see how Nats seed talent @ Burg Vs F troop. Noll is a great example. He is playing his way to F troop but could be buckler with bonus babies @ Burg.

  4. Fourth round pick for June 19 draft for the lower case asterisk
    In the annuals of baseball history from Philly ??

    1. Just glad it is over. Harper’s contract situation has been a massive distraction for this team for 4 years now–they are finally out from under that shadow altogether.

      2. This is truly Max’s team now. He is such an anchor in the clubhouse now.
        Let’s pray Ryan finds the Ponce De Leon fountain of youth waters

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