PORT SAINT LUCIE, FL - The New York Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 7-0 this afternoon in Port Saint Lucie, bringing the Nationals' spring training record to 3-3. The Nationals' offense struggled, managing only five hits and being shut out.

Left-handed pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara made his second spring training start, facing what is projected to be the Mets' Opening Day lineup. Ogasawara allowed four earned runs on four hits, striking out two, walking one, and surrendering a two-run home run to former Nationals outfielder Juan Soto. Notably, Ogasawara did strike out Soto in the bottom of the first inning. He threw a total of 42 pitches, 25 for strikes, indicating some difficulty navigating the Mets' lineup.

Ogasawara's initial challenge against the experienced lineup came quickly, with Francisco Lindor leading off the bottom of the first with a single. However, Ogasawara rebounded, effectively using his curveball to retire Juan Soto. "He's a really good hitter, for sure," Ogasawara acknowledged of Soto. "The curveball was very good, and I threw it to get him uncomfortable. But we're gonna face him more in the season, so I need to talk more with the coaches and staff." He used two consecutive curveballs, one at 69 mph and the next at 70 mph, to induce an easy flyout from Soto. However, in the next matchup, Soto was able to figure Ogawawara out and hit a towering two-run homerun to put the Mets up 4-0.

Despite allowing four runs, Nationals manager Davey Martinez saw positives in Ogasawara's performance. "Shin was good," Martinez stated. "He should have gotten out of the first inning if we turned a double play. The home run to Soto was just location, but I thought he threw the ball well."

Ogasawara himself recognized the need for precision against MLB hitters. "When I go out, I cannot throw (to the hitter’s) strongest point anymore," he said. "So I cannot miss anymore." He finished his outing with 42 pitches, 25 of which were strikes, and recorded two strikeouts.

Mitchell Parker also made his second spring training appearance, pitching 2 ⅓ innings and allowing two runs on five hits while striking out two.

The New York Mets sent their top pitching prospect, Brandon Sproat, to the mound. Sproat pitched two scoreless, hitless innings, striking out one batter. He threw 19 pitches, 13 for strikes.

Former Nationals outfielder Juan Soto faced his old team for the first time in 2025, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs and hitting his second home run in a Mets uniform off Ogasawara.

The Nationals' offense struggled throughout the game, leaving seven runners on base and going 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

In the top of the seventh inning, Nationals third-base prospect Brady House made his spring training debut, hitting a 99.7 mph exit velocity line drive to right field.

Today’s game also marked the return of James Wood, who was recovering from left quad tendinitis. Wood went 1-for-2 with a walk. "I felt good and I feel good now," Wood said after being pulled from the game. "Just good seeing some arms and seeing some fans and just playing again.”

Up Next:

The Nationals will field two split-squad teams tomorrow. One team will face the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium at 1:05 p.m. The other will host the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches at 6:05 p.m.

Pitching Matchups: MacKenzie Gore and Michael Soroka will make their spring debuts Saturday in the split-squad games. Michael Soroka will start the afternoon game against the Cardinals in Jupiter, and MacKenzie Gore will start the home night game against the Marlins. Trevor Williams will start Sunday.