Scherzer sharp, Wacha not in Nats-Cards tie

March 13th, 2016

VIERA, Fla. -- Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman played his first game of the spring, a 4-4 tie with the Cardinals at Space Coast Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Nationals went right to work on Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha, scoring three runs in the first inning. Ben Revere scored the first run on a double by Bryce Harper. Jayson Werth then scored on a wild pitch by Wacha. Zimmerman, who sat out the first 12 games as a precaution due to his left foot issues, singled to left field, scoring Harper.
Wacha, who pitched a scoreless second, allowed three runs on six hits and recorded two strikeouts over his two innings of work.

Nationals righty Max Scherzer was solid for four innings, allowing a run on two hits and striking out five, including three in the first. The run scored in the second when Jeremy Hazelbaker scored on a double by Carson Kelly.
Washington had a two-run lead going into the eighth, but right-hander Erik Davis couldn't protect the lead as the Cardinals scored three runs. Greg Garcia grounded out, but Dean Anna scored on an error to make it 3-2. Hazelbaker drove in the tying run on a single to right, then scored the go-ahead run on a single by Paul DeJong.

But Washington tied the score at 4 in the bottom of the inning off right-hander Sandy Alcantara. With one out, Pedro Severino singled to left, scoring Jason Martinson.
Up next for the Cardinals: Right-hander Mike Leake will make his second Grapefruit League start Monday when the Cards host the Twins at Roger Dean Stadium at 12:05 p.m. CT. Leake allowed two hits and struck out a pair in his first start against the Marlins. Left-hander Tommy Milone will start for Minnesota.
Up next for the Nationals: The Nats return to Space Coast Stadium to play the Astros on Monday at 1:05 p.m. ET. It will be the third spring game between the teams, with each team winning one of the previous matchups. Washington right-hander Joe Ross will start and is expected to throw four innings and 65 pitches.