West Palm Beach, Florida — March 2nd, 2026 — A home run from Keibert Ruiz and two hits from Brady House weren’t enough to carry the Nats over the Astros.

After five innings, the Nationals led the Astros, 3-1. A plethora of substitutions for both squads happened in the sixth innings, and the momentum shifted towards Houston. The Astros capitalized on a few mistakes on the mound by Griff McGarry, scoring a run in the seventh. Julian Fernandez allowed another run in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at three. The Nats went down in order at the top of the ninth to end their shot at a win.

Daylen Lile walked in the second inning, followed by a single from Keibert Ruiz to move Lile to third. Andres Chaparro later grounded out to drive in Lile for the game’s first run. In the top of the fourth, Keibert Ruiz launched a home run to right field for his first long ball of the spring. In the next inning, Nasim Nunez led off with a walk, and Brady House drove him in with a line drive double to left. That was the end of the scoring for Washington. Phillip Glasser was the only baserunner for the Nats after the fifth inning.

Josiah Gray started for the Nationals and was productive, striking out three batters across 1.2 innings pitched. Gray threw 39 pitches and gave up two hits without issuing a walk. This was a very successful first outing of the spring for Gray. Sandy Gaston cleaned up the second inning with a strikeout, and Drew Smith pitched a clean third inning with two strikeouts.

Andrew Alvarez pitched the middle innings while striking out three and walking another three. Griff McGarry got the ball in the seventh and was shaky, walking two and hitting another batter. Julian Fernandez gave up another run in the eighth in an equally bad performance, throwing ten strikes on 21 pitches. Fernandez was credited with a blown save.

Andrew Alvarez committed a throwing error in the bottom of the sixth inning, but didn’t allow it to hurt him. It’s his second error of the spring, which is mildly concerning in itself. James Wood was credited with an outfield assist when Astros’ Carlos Correa lined into a double play, catching Jose Altuve at first base.

In the bottom of the eighth, Jax Biggers drew a walk to lead off the inning for the Astros. Biggers then stole second base off Nats pitcher Julian Fernandez and catcher Caleb Lomavita. James Nelson then hit a single to left field to tie the game at three runs each. The Nats went down in order at the top of the ninth inning to end the game.

Player of the Game: Keibert Ruiz(2-3, HR, RBI)

The Nationals have an exhibition match against the Venezuelan World Baseball Classic team on Wednesday, March 4th, at 6:05 EST. The Nats will host the matchup at CACTI Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Foster Griffin, one of the Nats’ free agent signings, will make his debut for the team. The starting pitcher for the Venezuelan team is TBD.