The Washington Nationals fell again on Friday night as ace Cade Cavalli is set to take the mound against the New York Mets on Saturday
The Washington Nationals fell back into the loss column after Friday night ended in a third consecutive loss after falling 3-2 against the Miami Marlins with just five hits for the Nationals.
Foster Griffin, the first free agent signing of the Paul Toboni era, made his third start of spring training where he was responsible for all three earned runs and five of Miami's six hits while tossing five strikeouts and a pair of walks in five innings.
Miami opened the scoring in the bottom of the first after two walks put a runner in scoring position that eventually crossed the plate after a two-out single into right field.
Washington answered back in the top of the second after Andres Chaparro opened the inning with a ground rule double before CJ Abrams drove him home thanks to a single into right field.
A two-run inning in the third started with consecutive hits allowed, including a double into right field that drove in the second run two at bats before a single into right field added Miami's third and final run of the game.
In the top of the fifth, Brady House would get on base on an infield single before Drew Millas's single into right field cut the Nationals' deficit in half.
Washington would threaten again in the seven inning after Nasim Nunez walked then reached third after a single into right, but the Nationals squandered the game-tying run after Christian Franklin grounded out back to the pitcher then Millas struck out to end the inning. Washington then went down in order in both the eighth and ninth innings to drop the third of five meetings this spring.
With three games left before the 2026 regular season begins, the Washington Nationals will take in one final game in Florida before making the trip back north when they take on the New York Mets. Washington has taken three of the four meetings already in spring training, but Saturday will also mark a notable day with Cade Cavalli expected to take the mound.
Saturday will mark his final start before he takes the mound for Opening Day on Thursday, March 26 against the Chicago Cubs. Across three games, Cavalli has yet to allow a run while tossing nine strikeouts to two walks and one hit in nine innings, adding credence to Blake Butera's decision to turn to the rising ace in the rotation as the day one starter.