Revere, Rendon, Turner give Nats edge in win
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WASHINGTON -- Trea Turner's sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and Ben Revere and Anthony Rendon's extra-base hits helped the Nationals edge the Twins, 4-3, at Nationals Park on Friday night. The Nationals improved their Spring Training record to 19-4-3, while the Twins dropped their record to 19-11-1.
The score was tied at 3 when Turner helped Washington take the lead. With runners on second and third, one out and Casey Fien on the mound, Turner hit a sacrifice fly to right fielder Danny Santana, and Scott Sizemore scored the go-ahead run.
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Jonathan Papelbon, making his first appearance at Nationals Park since his altercation with Bryce Harper last year, retired the Twins in the ninth for a save.
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The Nationals went to work on right-hander Phil Hughes in the first inning. After hitting a triple, Revere scored the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Harper.
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Ryan Zimmerman followed with a double, scoring Rendon.
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Two innings later, Revere doubled, then scored his second run of the game on a double to right by Rendon.
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Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark was cruising in the fourth inning when the Twins scored three runs. Eddie Rosario made it a two-run game with a single to right field, scoring Trevor Plouffe.Two batters later, with runners on second and third, Eduardo Escobar tied the score at 3 with a two-run double.
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"I felt good. I didn't stick to my fastball and got a little off-speed-happy [in the fourth inning]. I wasn't making them uncomfortable," Roark said. "I was letting them stay comfortable in the box."
Up next for the Twins: They play their final exhibition game at Nationals Park against the Nationals on Saturday at 11:05 a.m. CT. Right-hander Ricky Nolasco will get the start. During the exhibition season, Nolasco has allowed six runs in 13 1/3 innings.
Up next for the Nationals: The Nationals play their final exhibition game at Nationals Park against the Twins on Saturday at 12:05 p.m. ET. Joe Ross will get the start. During the exhibition season, Ross allowed three earned runs in 9 2/3 innings. He will likely start the season in the bullpen. The Nationals don't need a fifth starter for at least another week.