Spring Training Game 12: Washington Nationals 2, Houston Astros 4
By Jared Book
Spring Training recaps are hard to do. When the game comes down to backups playing prospects, it’s hard to really take anything away from it. But there are a lot of positives in today’s game between the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros.
Mar 6, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; A view of Washington Nationals batting helmets and bats in the dugout before a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Gio Gonzalez pitched very well in his last start before he goes the way of Ross Detwiler to the World Baseball Classic and pitched even more on the side to make sure he isn’t disqualified from making any appearances for Team USA. Gonzalez went three innings, allowing three hits and striking out three without allowing a run. Ross Ohlendorf also went three innings and allowed the first two runs of the game. After Michael Taylor hit a two-run single with the bases loaded, Ryan Mattheus allowed two runs in the bottom of the eighth and made the final 4-2.
Drew Storen made another appearance for the Nationals and pitched a scoreless inning around two hits and two strikeouts.
Offensively for the Nationals, besides Taylor’s hit, not much happened. Denard Span, Wilson Ramos, Corey Brown and Chad Tracy were the only starters to get a hit and Brown was the only one to do it off of Philip Humber who made the start for Houston.
The loss drops the Nationals to 5-5 but there continue to be some positive signs from players who aren’t yet guaranteed a roster spot showing the depth the organization has right now. With only 49 players in camp, some minor leaguers have been getting into games but the team has been getting opportunities for every one. It’s hard to judge Spring stats because while someone is working on something, they may be grooving a fastball. Having said that, there weren’t too many offensive positives in this game after a day where the same thing could be said. Only this time they weren’t facing Roy Halladay.
Tomorrow they go back at it with a game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Viera. The game will be on MASN so hopefully there is more offense to speak of.