Washington Nationals face 2-4 defeat against Boston Red Sox at 2012 Spring Training - MLB Update
Starter Jordan Zimmermann gives up three runs as the Washington Nationals experiences a 2-4 defeat against Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park Fenway South in Lee County, Florida on April 2, 2012 in their Grapefruit League encounter.
As soon as Nationals in the top of the fourth went on a one run lead, Boston replied strongly with three runs in the same inning. Afterwards, Nationals never connected the kind of hits they needed to diminish two run lead by Boston.
Boston starter, Aaron Cook, was fast and allowed just two hits in five innings and effectively put any aggression by the Nationals to halt.
Nationals' power arms are being put forward as their greatest strength in the season. Even in today’s game their starter was spot on with the throws and despite hits allowed, none of the batters was able to connect any hit for a homer.
Out of the three runs that Zimmermann gave up, one was an unearned and thus was not his fault.
When reliever Tyler Clippard stepped on the mound, an incredible rotation depth that the Nationals have became visible. As he went on to throw a scoreless inning and striking-out two, he showed what he holds in prospect for the Nationals.
If hitters have been able to add few runs in last few innings, Nationals' closer Brad Lidge, possessing an amazing career record of 789 strike-outs and 3.44 ERA, will not allow Boston to bounce back in the game.
Shortstop Ian Desmond while going 1-for-4 added one RBI. He has been in a terrific form throughout the Spring Training and is one of the top prospects that the Nationals will look up to in the season.
Second baseman, Danny Espinosa, hit the only home-run of the game. In four at-bats, he managed one hit and brought one RBI for the Nationals.
Boston first baseman, Adrian Gonzalez, stood out for his side and ended up 2-for-2 while completing one run.
In a way Nationals’ manager Davey Johnson will take the defeat as a chance for players to identify their flaws. After all they have won few consecutive games last week and thus to desist complacency, something was needed to put them to a proper analysis
of their weak areas. He will be looking forward to an improved show during the regular season.
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