The Washington Nationals have tied once again with the Astros as starting pitcher Josiah Gray showed signs of optimism on Monday
For the second time, the Washington Nationals have tied the Houston Astros in spring training.
The two teams finished Monday's contest tied at three, though capped off by a deflating letdown by Washington to end the day.
Daylen Lile would walk in the second at bat of the second inning before a single from Keibert Ruiz put runners on the corners with one out, leading to an intentional walk to load up the bases. Andres Chaparro would capitalize after a grounder to third sent Lile home for the game's first run, giving Washington a short-lived 1-0 lead.
It would be short-lived because Houston answered right back thanks to a double then wild pitch to put runners on the corner. A second hit by pitch in the following at bat would then load the bases up for Houston, before a third hit by pitch sent in the game's tying run. Keibert Ruiz would give Washington the lead right back with a 363 foot shot over the right field wall, making it 2-1, before another double from Brady House sent shortstop Nasim Nunez home for the Nationals' final run of the game.
But consecutive runs in the seventh and eighth inning would prove Washington didn't get enough separation before tying for the third time within seven days.
After another walk loaded the bases for Houston with one out, a ground out to third base would make it a 3-2 game before a single into left field would get another Astros batter who draw a walk home with two outs in the bottom of the eighth.
Monday also marked a notable game for the Nationals' pitching staff given that it marked Josiah Gray's first appearance on the mound since 2024, when he made just two starts. Gray would watch his 2024 season get cut short after suffering a flexor strain just one month into the season before the team announced he would undergo season-ending surgery to repair a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament, ultimately sidelining him for 2025 as well.
Gray was able to shake the rust off after tossing three strikeouts on 38 pitches with 25 strikes over 1 2/3 innings. Per Mark Zuckerman, Gray also tossed nine fastballs, averaged 92.5 miles per hour and topped out at 94 miles per hour with the third strikeouts coming on his signature breaking ball.
Gray was one of two Nationals pitchers to post three strikeouts after Andrew Alvarez tossed three strikeouts and three walks while allowing one hit in three innings pitched. As a team, Washington tossed 11 strikeouts to six walks and five hits allowed.
Washington is off on Tuesday before facing Venezuela on Wednesday in an exhibition game.