Viera, FL--The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Washington Nationals 4-1 Saturday afternoon to take the early lead in the Battle for the Beltways this season. Granted, the victory only counts in the Grapefruit League standings, but with each game and each season that passes where these teams play each other, a fan-interest rivalry grows just a bit stronger.
Neither teams is expected to contend this season, but the seeds are starting to grow for each, as the Nationals and Orioles both made extensive off-season changes to their everyday line-ups and quality of bench play.
For the Nationals, Saturday's game featured the spring debut of de facto "ace" John Patterson, in his return from forearm surgery. He pitched two innings and gave up two hits, including O's third base prospect Mike Costanzo's second inning home run. He also struck out two without allowing a base on balls.
John Lannan followed with two scoreless innings, surrendering three hits but striking out four. Non-roster invitee Dennis Tankersly gave up three earned in his two innings, and Chad Cordero, Ray King and Jon Rauch each pitched one scoreless inning.
The offense managed seven hits off six Orioles hurlers, including two apiece from Jesus Flores, non-roster catcher Humberto Cota and Elijah Dukes. Cota drove in the lone Nats run of the day.
The Nats have split squad games Sunday against the Orioles in Ft. Lauderdale and the Houston Astros in Kissimmee. Steven Shell will go against Houston and Garrett Mock will face the Orioles.
Article also posted at DC Sports Box.
Photo courtesy of Al Santos, DC Sports Box
Viera, FL--The old adage says that at this time of spring training the bats are behind the arms. One only need to examine the box scores around the league to find evidence of such. Friday afternoon the Washington Nationals pitchers had a nice day, but the Florida Marlins pitchers were just as good, and the Nats fell 3-1 in front of 2,233 fans in Space Coast Stadium.
Tyler Clippard started for the Nats and pitched two solid innings of work, giving up a solo home run along with two hits and a walk. Jason Stanford followed Clippard, and he surrendered just one hit and struck out one in his two innings. Mike Bascik, famous for giving up Barry Bonds record-setting home run last season, was roughed up for three hits and two runs in one inning, and Saul Rivera was unblemished in his one inning.
The hitting stars for the Nats were Ryan Zimmerman, who went two-for-two, and Bret Boone, trying to make a comeback after being out of the game last season, doubled in his first spring training at bat.
Florida's star was center fielder Alejandro DeAza, who homered off of Clippard in the first inning, and added another hit, RBI and stolen base later in the game.
Article also posted at DC Sports Box.
Photo courtesy of Al Santos, DC Sports Box
