Washington Nationals Recap: Gio Gonzalez Walks Four In Win Over Astros
By Ricky Keeler
Gio Gonzalez made his return to the rotation today as the Nationals defeated the Astros, 5-3
This afternoon in Viera, Gio Gonzalez made his return to the starting rotation after being with his fiancee for the birth of their first child. While Gonzalez struggled with his command in his first start since March 15 (also against Houston), the Washington Nationals still went on to beat the Astros 5-3 to improve their spring record to 13-4 with two ties.
The Astros got on the board first in the top of the first inning with a two-out rally. After a Carlos Gomez single and a Tyler White walk, Luis Valbuena hit a base hit to left to drive in Gomez to put Houston ahead, 1-0.
As far as how Gonzalez pitched today, he went 4.1 innings, gave up one run on five hits, walked four batters, and struck out one. Through four spring starts, he has walked 12 batters and has walked four batters in three straight starts. Today, Dusty Baker also announced that Gonzalez is going to pitch his first game of the regular season on April 6 against the Atlanta Braves.
Dusty keeps hinting w/o flat out saying Scherzer will start opening day. But did admit Gio goes second game & Strasburg gets home opener.
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) March 21, 2016
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The Nats would tie the game in the bottom of the second on a solo home run by Wilson Ramos against Astros’ starter Scott Feldman. It is Ramos’ second home run of the spring.
In the following inning, the Nats’ offense mounted its own two-out rally. Michael Taylor, Anthony Rendon, and Bryce Harper all reached base via singles. Then, Ryan Zimmerman hit a two-run double to left that drove in Taylor and Rendon to put the Nationals in front, 3-1.
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After Gonzalez, Felipe Rivero got the final two outs of the fifth and Trevor Gott threw a 1-2-3 sixth inning with one strikeout. But, the Astros would tie the game in the top of the seventh when Colin Moran hit a two-run home run to center field against Rafael Martin, who ended up getting the win.
It wouldn’t take too long for the Nats to get the lead back. Trea Turner (didn’t start this game) led off the bottom of the seventh with an infield single and would eventually steal second. Later in the inning, with runners on the corners after Brendan Ryan’s second hit of the day (also came in off the bench), Reed Johnson hit a sacrifice fly to center to put the Nats back ahead, 4-3.
The lead would increase to 5-3 on a solo home run by Cutter Dykstra in the bottom of the eighth. Nick Masset threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the ninth to pick up the save. After the game, the Nats sent three relievers down to minor league camp, including veteran Burke Badenhop:
The #Nats have reassigned RHPs Erik Davis, Michael Brady and Burke Badenhop to Minor League camp.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 21, 2016
Next: Is Murphy A Viable Leadoff Option For The Nats?
Next Game: The Washington Nationals will have the day off tomorrow, but they will be back in action Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium when they take on the New York Yankees. You can catch the game on MASN at 5:05 PM ET. Masahiro Tanaka is scheduled to start for the Yankees against a starter not yet announced for the Nats.