Nats’ Offense Explodes In 11-1 Win Over Cardinals
By Pablo Roa
Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Nationals had a big day with the bat Sunday afternoon, crushing the St. Louis Cardinals 11-1 at Space Coast Stadium.
Stephen Strasburg got the start and looked strong in his second appearance of the spring. The right-hander allowed just two hits over three innings of work, giving up just one run in the first inning despite walking the first two batters he faced.
Anthony Rendon gave the Nationals their first run on a towering homer to center field in the bottom of the first inning, marking the start of a busy day for the Nationals’ offense.
Washington scored four more runs in the bottom of the third inning on RBI singles by Wilson Ramos, Brock Peterson and Scott Hairston, followed by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Nate McLouth, making it a 5-1 game.
The Nationals’ added to their lead in the bottom of the third on an RBI single by Jason Werth and an RBI single by Ramos, giving them an 8-1 lead. They weren’t done however, as the Nationals would score three more runs later in the game on an RBI single by Koyie Hill and a bases-loaded walk by Brian Goodwin.
It was a big game for Ramos, who finished the day 2-3 with three RBIs.
While spring training games don’t matter, it’s always nice to beat the team that broke our hearts in 2012. The clubs will face each other two more times this spring, and seven times during the regular season.
The Nationals will be back at it in Viera tomorrow afternoon to face the Houston Astros.