They say at this time of year that the pitchers are ahead of the hitters. The Washington Nationals pitching staff is doing all they can to dispell that notion.
Today there was some decent performances sprinkled in with batting practice, but a couple of guys the Nats are going to depend upon this season were rocked in their spring training appearances, as the Nats fell to the New York Mets, 14-6, in the team's spring training home opener at historic Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL.
Announced attendance was 5,843.
John Lannan started and threw ok, but hardly sharp. He gave up two earned runs on two hits and a walk, striking out two. Aaron Thompson, acquired in the Nick Johnson deal, went two innings, giving up just one hit and striking out one. After that? Yuck.
Shawn Estes, trying to return from what seems like a decade of injury, gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in one inning. Josh Wilkie gave up one on two hits and a walk in one inning. But those results pale in comparision to what happened to two of the arms that should make up the Nats' new-look bullpen.
Tyler Walker was hammered, surrendering five earned runs on six hits (including two home runs) in one inning. He did strike out the side though.
Sean Burnett was no better. He gave up four earned on five hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning.
As for the offense, Cristian Guzman (at DH), Ryan Zimmerman and Eric Bruntlett all had two hits apiece. Bruntlett hit a three-run home run off Mets starter Mike Pelfrey. He probably won't hit another one all season. Mike Morse homered too, as he fights for a bench job. He finished 1-for-5.
The team left nine runners on, and had another error, as backup catcher Wil Mieves threw one away on a pick-off attempt. Nyjer Morgan did have an outfield assist, throwing out Angel Pagan trying to take third base.
Sunday, the Nats travel down I-95 to Port St. Lucie to face the Mets at their home away from home.
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