Astros belt 5 home runs vs. Nats

KISSIMMEE, Fla. | Brett Myers made his Houston debut, and the Astros smacked five home runs in a 15-5 victory over the Washington Nationals split squad on Thursday in the spring training opener for both teams.

Myers, the longtime Phillies hurler, walked three and allowed three runs as he struggled to control his fastball in his first trip to the mound since Game 3 of last year’s World Series.

Hunter Pence hit two home runs, a solo shot and a three-run blast, during the Astros’ nine-run fourth inning. Reserve outfielder Jason Michaels and minor leaguers Yordany Ramirez and Chris Johnson also went deep for the Astros.

Starter Garrett Mock tossed two shutout innings for the Nationals, who got two RBIs from backup catcher Will Nieves. Eddie Guardado and Matt Capps combined to allow five runs on seven hits, including a pair of home runs, in their two innings of work.