Washington Nationals Recap: Nats Beat Astros 4-2 In Max Scherzer’s 2nd Spring Start
By Ricky Keeler
The Nationals improved their spring record to 6-1 with a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros in Kissimmee.
For the second time in four days, the Washington Nationals went up against one of their former teammates from last season. Today, Doug Fister (now with the Astros) went up against Max Scherzer. Both pitchers gave up one run a piece, but it was the Nationals who came out on top with a 4-2 victory. It is the Nats’ fourth straight win as their record is now 6-1 this spring.
The Astros got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Jose Altuve and George Springer began the inning with back-to-back singles. Two batters later, Colby Rasmus singled to right to drive in Altuve and put Houston up 1-0. Scherzer ended up needing 37 pitches to finish the first inning.
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One inning later, the Nats would tie the game when Jose Lobaton hit a two-out single to right to drive in Wilmer Difo. In the top of the fourth, Lobaton would give the Nationals a 2-1 lead when he hit a RBI groundout to drive in Difo. Difo, who was at second base today, went 1-for-1 with two runs scored and a walk.
Scherzer ended up going two innings, gave up one run on three hits, walked one, and struck out two on 51 pitches. After Scherzer, Yusmeiro Petit came into the game and had a dominant outing. Over three innings, Petit gave up one hit and struck out four as he picked up the win.
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In the top of the seventh, Tony Campana led off the inning with a triple. He would end up scoring two batters later on a RBI single to center by Logan Schafer that put the Nats up 3-1. Houston would get that run back in the bottom of the inning on a solo home run by Derek Fisher against Shawn Kelley.
The Nationals’ lead would increase to 4-2 in the top of the eighth when Scott Sizemore doubled to left field to drive in Matt Skole, but Chris Bostick was thrown out on a play at the plate. So far this spring, Sizemore has five RBI’s in nine at-bats.
As for the other Nats’ pitchers, Austin Voth came in after Petit. He gave up one hit and struck out two in his one inning of work. Rafael Martin and Michael Brady pitched the final two innings and gave up two combined hits while striking out one. Brady had that lone strikeout in the ninth as he picked up the save. Ken Giles, the Astros’ new closer, picked up the loss.
Next: With Papelbon's Help, Ross Adds A Splitter
NEXT GAME: The Washington Nationals will be in Lakeland tomorrow afternoon as they take on the Detroit Tigers (1:05 PM ET). Gio Gonzalez will get the start for the Nats against Justin Verlander for the Tigers.