2014 Grapefruit League Recap, Game 7

Washington Nationals 8, Houston Astros 5

2014 Grapefruit League record: 3-4

W- Tanner Roark (1-0)
L- Brett Oberholtzer (0-1)
S- Tyler Robertson (2)

Astros home runs: Marc Krauss (2)

This game was on the verge of getting ugly early, but the Astros clawed their way back into it with a 5-0 run from the 3rd to the 5th to get within 1. Alas, they couldn't find the breakthrough, and the Nationals got 2 more in the 6th to gain just enough separation from Houston.

Starting Pitcher: Brett Oberholtzer

Let's just say that the 1st was an absolute mess for Obie and leave it at that. He responded with a 1-2-3 2nd.

Final line: L (0-1), 2 IP, 5 H (2 HR), 6 R (5 earned), K

Bullpen

Peter Moylan was the first man out, and he allowed a 1-out single to Ryan Zimmerman in a scoreless 3rd.

Jerome Williams threw 2 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and striking out 4, but got into a jam in the 6th. He got 2 outs in the inning, but left the bases loaded for Josh Zeid, who saw Zach Walters spray a 2-run single to left field to solidify the Nationals' lead.

Zeid got the first out of the 7th, then Kevin Chapman came on to finish the inning.

Josh Fields threw a 1-2-3 8th.

Offense

Yes, it's only Spring Training, but Marc Krauss has delivered when he has been given the opportunity to show what he can do. He opened up the scoring on Houston's end with his 2nd homer of the spring, a solo shot in the 3rd. Krauss was the only Astro with a multi-hit game as he went 3-4.

The Astros put up a pair in the 4th on a Marwin Gonzalez sac fly and a Robbie Grossman single, and Carlos Corporan ripped a 2-run double in the 5th.

Three Stars

3.



Josh Fields, RHP
IP

2.



Carlos Corporan, C
1-2, 2-R 2B in 5th

1.



Marc Krauss, OF
3-4, solo HR (2)

Next Up

Next up is a split squad day for the Astros. One squad, led by Dexter Fowler, Jason Castro, and Jose Altuve, will stay in Kissimmee to host the Yankees. Jarred Cosart will take the mound for that team and he will be opposed by Ivan Nova. This game will be broadcast on CSN Houston.

Sat. vs. NYY: Fowler-cf; Altuve-2b; Castro-c; Carter-DH; Krauss-1b; Guzman-lf; Hoes-rf; Villar-ss; Izturis-3b; Cosart-p
— Houston Astros (@astros) March 8, 2014

Delino DeShields and Jon Singleton headline the contingent that will be heading to Clearwater to take on the Phillies. Dallas Keuchel will start for this squad and his opponent will be Roberto Hernandez, the pitcher who was once known as Fausto Carmona.

Sat at PHI: DeShields-cf; Grossman-lf; Singleton-1b; Dominguez-3b; Wallace-DH; Martinez-rf; Corporan-c; Gonzalez-ss; Petit-2b; Keuchel-p
— Houston Astros (@astros) March 8, 2014

Both games will begin at 1:05 Eastern. Thankfully, there is no chance of rain in the forecast.