Miami Marlins beat Washington Nationals 3-0 in Spring Training – MLB Update
Making his first impact in Spring Training, Jose Reyes helps Miami Marlins to a 3-0 win against Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida during their Grapefruit contest on March 9, 2012 by hitting a line drive for three and gaining
a single from Emilio Bonifacio's hit.
"He was pretty good tonight," Marlins’ manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Jose (Reyes) was better."
Nationals were handicapped by four innings thrown by Wade LeBlanc who struck-out five and went for just one hit. Relievers and closer following him fared no different as they kept grabbing strike-outs without conceding any score until the last inning.
The game was close if it was not for Nationals’ pitcher Stephen Strasburg who after having a breeze in his first two innings ended up spoiling his effort in third when he conceded two runs, walks and three hits.
"I was commanding pitches a lot better. I've just got to go do some PFPs (pitchers fielding practice) tomorrow and adjust off of that," Strasburg said.
Coming off two runs and three hits in over two innings he pitched in his last game, Nationals’ star pitcher Strasburg must be disappointed to be a part of two losses out of three suffered so far in Training by his side.
While pitchers played their part, Marlins fielders deserve equal mention as they never allowed base runners to benefit from hits struck in the game, however limited they may be.
Fielding together for the first time in Spring Training, Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes have been provided some decent time by the Marlins to develop co-ordination.
Shortstop Reyes and Ramirez, who stood at third base, grabbed almost everything being hurled toward their end. Former making three plays and latter shutting the third inning after some brilliant fielding off Ian Desmond’s hit.
"Jose makes everybody on this ballclub better," Guillen said of Reyes.
Interest in the play enlivened when team-mates stopped Ramirez from diving at sight of Jason Michael getting a single, in order to avoid any injury to him as he had undergone surgery last September.
The win has improved Marlins standing on table to .6 PCT while downing Nationals' to .5. Nationals will be looking forward to see their starting pitcher Strasburg back to his best in the next games.
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