Astros 5, Nationals 2
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Washington Nationals right-hander Shawn Hill is looking more and more like a lock for one of the four vacant spots in the club’s starting rotation.
Yesterday against a loaded Houston Astros lineup, Hill turned in his second impressive outing this spring. He allowed only one run on three hits in three innings of work. Hill needed just 43 pitches to tame a formidable batting order featuring Craig Biggio, Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee and Morgan Ensberg.
The only run Hill allowed came in the first inning. Biggio doubled down the left field line and two batters later, Berkman knocked in Biggio with a single to right-center field.
When Hill left the game, the Nationals were leading 2-1. In the sixth, though, reliever Saul Rivera gave up four runs and four hits, including a three-run home run by Ensberg and a solo shot by Biggio.
TEMPERATURE CHECK
Hot: On the hill
Right-hander Hill strong again
Cold: Play ball
Ump ready, grounds crew isn’t, to open fourth
Hot: Schneider’s bat
Another 2-for-3 day, now hitting .571
Cold: Rivera’s one inning
Established guys must be better
BY THE NUMBERS
41
Pitches it took Nationals starter Shawn Hill to get through three innings yesterday.
60
Pitches it took Astros two-time All-Star Roy Oswalt to get through three innings yesterday.
OVERHEARD
“Yeah, [location] was there, but he had a nice [strike] zone working back there behind the plate. He doesn’t need much help, but he was getting a little bit.”
- Outfielder Austin Kearns on Astros starter Roy Oswalt. Kearns doubled in two at-bats against the Astros ace.
SEVEN-DAY SCHEDULE
Tomorrow: vs. Astros in Viera, 1:05 p.m.
Friday: vs. Orioles in Fort Lauderdale, 1:05 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Mets in Viera, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday: vs. Dodgers in Vero Beach, 1:05 p.m.
Monday: vs. Mets in Viera, 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday: Off day
Wednesday: vs. Cardinals in Jupiter, 1:05 p.m.
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