Recap: Nats Suffer First Loss of Spring, Fall to Braves, 9-4
The Washington Nationals suffered their first loss of the spring, falling to the Atlanta Braves, 9-4, on Monday afternoon.
Patrick Corbin made his first start as a National, pitching two scoreless innings in the loss at Champion Stadium in Kissimmee, FL. The two-time All-Star and former Arizona Diamondback signed a six-year deal with the Nats last December. Striking out two and surrendering no walks, Corbin allowed only one baserunner, a double to Braves’ third baseman, John Camargo. The left-hander breezed through the first inning, getting all three outs on ten pitches.
Unfortunately, Washington’s pitching fell flat the rest of the game. Right-hander, J.J. Hoover had a particularly disastrous outing, giving up three runs on two hits in just 1/3 of an inning. Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman took Hoover out of the park in the fourth, driving in Braves’ second baseman, Ozzie Albies.
The Nationals could never get their offense going Monday. Washington’s first run scored on a passed ball in the first inning. Juan Soto drove in two of Washington’s four runs on a single in the third inning. Jake Noll, went 2-for-2, after coming in at third base halfway through the game.
Washington faces the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday afternoon in West Palm Beach, FL.
