Washington Nationals Recap: Nats Pitching Impresses in 5-2 Win Over Cardinals

By Matt Weyrich | Mar 6, 2016

Mar 6, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Blake Treinen (45) points to the sky before taking the pitchers mound during a spring training game against St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The Washington Nationals improved to 4-1 in Grapefruit League play this spring with a 5-2 win over St. Louis Sunday afternoon.

The Nats continued their hot start this spring against the defending National League Central division champions at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. Blake Treinen made his first appearance of the year, posting a pair of scoreless frames in the first two innings for the Nats.

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The Nats’ 27-year old right-hander allowed only one hit across his two innings of work, striking out one and walking none while facing only six batters. After setting down the top of the Cardinals’ lineup in order the first inning, Treinen allowed a leadoff double to center fielder Randal Grichuk to start the second. He settled right down in a hurry however, forcing back-to-back fly outs to left field; the second of which was highlighted by a heads up play by Reed Johnson in left field, where he doubled up Grichuk at second to end the inning.

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Washington opened up the scoring for both teams in the second. Johnson led off the inning against St. Louis starter Deck McGuire with a single, and moved over to second on a walk by Matt Skole. One out later, the Nats loaded the bases after shortstop Aledmys Diaz booted a Spencer Kieboom groundball. Michael Taylor singled to left to bring in the first run of the afternoon, and Trea Turner drove in another on a fielder’s choice.

Following a scoreless inning from Matt Grace, the Nats came back swinging once again in the third. With closer Trevor Rosenthal on the mound, Washington loaded the bases once again. Chris Heisey was hit by an 0-2 pitch to start the inning, followed by an infield single off Rosenthal’s ankle by Stephen Drew and a walk by Johnson. Skole drove in Heisey with a sacrifice fly to left, and catcher Jose Lobaton made it 4-0 with a single down the right field line.

St. Louis would remain quiet with the bats until the fifth inning, when veteran reliever Burke Badenhop took the mound for the Nats. With Washington subbing out all eight position players for fresh faces, the Cardinals scored one run apiece on an RBI-double from Brandon Moss and a groundout by Nick Plummer. Badenhop, who signed a minor-league deal with the Nats in February, allowed two earned runs on three hits, a walk, and a strikeout in his only inning of work.

The Nationals added on to their lead in the eighth, with catcher Pedro Severino driving in Scott Sizemore on a ground-rule double to make it 5-2. That score would not change through the bottom of the ninth, giving the Nats their fourth win in five games of Spring Training baseball.

Grace, Trevor Gott, Nick Masset, Aaron Laffey, Michael Brady, and Nick Lee each completed a scoreless inning of work, combining to strike out five and walk only one. Blake Treinen earned the win while Lee was credited with the save.

Next: Nats Stealing More Bases To Start The Spring

Next Game: The Nationals hit the field again tomorrow, this time hosting the Miami Marlins at Space Coast Stadium at 1:05 PM ET. While the Nats have yet to announce their starter for the game, Marlins’ manager Don Mattingly has ace Jose Fernandez penciled in to take the mound for Miami.

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