Cardinals 9, Nationals 3
JUPITER, Fla. — St. Louis starter Jason Marquis silenced the Washington bats, allowing only Alfonso Soriano’s double in 52/3 innings.
The Cardinals right-hander allowed just one run, struck out three and walked none to lower his spring ERA to 3.97.
Poor fielding cost the Nationals again. The Nationals committed three errors — all throwing errors by infielders.
Soriano went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in his debut as the Nationals’ left fielder. After leading off the fourth with a looping double down the left-field line, Soriano scored the Nationals’ first run of the game on Jose Guillen’s hard chopper to third with two outs.
Nationals reliever Gary Majewski was tagged for five runs — all earned — on five hits in the bottom half of the fourth inning.
THE BUZZ
SORIANO’S BAT
Only Nationals player to hit Marquis
NO OFFENSE
Soriano has one of five hits
SORIANO’S GLOVE
Error-free game in left with double play
TEAM DEFENSE
Another defensive disaster — three errors
BY THE NUMBERS
39 Errors the Nationals have committed in 23 spring games against major league teams.
3 Balls hit Soriano’s way yesterday that he successfully fielded.
OVERHEARD
“I don’t have control of the situation now.”
— Soriano said of playing left field for the Nationals.
SEVEN-DAY SCHEDULE
Today: vs. Orioles in Viera, 1:05 p.m.
Tomorrow: vs. Braves in Lake Buena Vista, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Tigers in Lakeland, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday: vs. Astros in Viera, 1:05 p.m.
Monday: vs. Cardinals in Jupiter, 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday: vs. Indians in Viera, 6:05 p.m.
Wednesday: vs. Dodgers in Vero Beach, 1:05 p.m.
HOW TO GET TO SPACE COAST STADIUM
From Orlando/North: Take Route 528 East (Bee Line Expressway) 25 miles to I-95 South. Exit I-95 South at Fiske Blvd. (Exit 195). Proceed south on Fiske Blvd./Stadium Parkway to the stadium. Approx. time: 45 minutes.
From Melbourne/South: Take I-95 North to Wickham Rd. (Exit 191) and turn left. Turn right on Lake Andrew Dr. and follow to the stadium. Approx. time: 20 minutes.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Washington: Mostly sunny, 53 degrees.
Viera: Afternoon thunderstorms, 74 degrees.
— Ken Wright
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