Washington Nationals Recap: Nats-Astros End In 1-1 Tie

For the second consecutive day, the Nats have a spring training game end in a tie

The Washington Nationals began a home-and-home with the Houston Astros this afternoon. Today’s game took place in Viera at Space Coast Stadium with Joe Ross going up against the reigning AL Cy Young award winner, Dallas Keuchel. For the second consecutive day, the Nats had a game end in a tie with the final ending up being 1-1.

Houston’s lone run of the game came in the top of the first against Ross. With two outs, shortstop Carlos Correa hit a solo home run to left center to put the Astros ahead, 1-0. It was Correa’s first home run of the spring. Ross would end up going four innings, giving up one run on five hits, striking out three, and walking two in his second spring start (third outing).

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As for how the Nats did against Keuchel, their offense managed only one hit, which was a Brendan Ryan (single in the bottom of the third. Keuchel would end up striking out four batters in his three innings of work against most of the Nats regulars, minus Danny Espinosa. Ryan Zimmerman was also in the lineup as the designated hitter for the second straight day.

The Nationals’€™ lone run of the game occurred in the bottom of the sixth against James Hoyt. With two outs and Matt Skole on first via one of his three walks today, Matt den Dekker struck out, but a wild pitch on strike three extended the inning. After a Jason Martinson single, Hoyt hit Reed Johnson with a pitch that allowed Skole to score and tie the game.

After Ross’ outing, Yusmeiro Petit came in and gave up only one hit over two innings while striking out two. That lone hit by Houston after the fourth inning came on a single by A.J. Reed in the top of the sixth.