The Washington Nationals capitalized on a three-run seventh inning to pick up the eighth win of spring training and second against the Houston Astros.
The Washington Nationals have now won two straight games and three of their last four after a late comeback was enough to take down the Houston Astros, 3-1, in the fourth meeting between the two teams in spring training.
Andrew Alvarez drew his third start of spring training where he put together his best performance to date, finishing with five strikeouts to just one hit allowed across four innings pitched. As a team, Washington threw for 11 strikeouts with Griff McGarry tossing the lone walk of the day while both Orlando Ribalta and Jackson Rutledge both tossed two strikeouts in their lone inning pitched.
Ribalta would be on the mound for the lone run allowed in the win after giving up a 440 foot home run in the second at bat of the fifth inning, putting Washington in an early hole.
That would change in the bottom of the seventh after Houston turned to another pitching change, but it wouldn't matter. Keibert Ruiz would open the inning with a single into right field before another single, this time from Abimelec Ortiz, would put runners on the corners with no outs. Drew Millas would capitalize on a sac fly to left field that brought Ruiz home before Ronny Cruz belted a 393 foot two run home run to left center field to give Washington its first lead of the day, 3-1. It proved to be the final runs on the day and enough for Washington to secure the win.
Houston would threaten after single then walk put two runners on with one out in the top of the eighth, but McGarry would get out of the jam after forcing a ground out hit right back to him before a pop out to second base ended the inning. Washington ended the game with consecutive strikeouts from Varland to seal the win.
The two teams also combined for six hits on Sunday.
Now 8-4-3 overall in spring training, Washington will enjoy a rare off day on Monday before returning to action on Tuesday, March 10 against the Miami Marlins with opening pitch set for 1:10 PM. Miami is coming off a 2-2 tie against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday and stand 6-7-1 in spring training.
Washington will meet Miami for the third time this spring after a 16-8 win back on Feb. 22 for the third straight win to open spring training before falling, 3-0, in the third loss back on March 1.