WEST PALM BEACH, FL - The Washington Nationals opened their 2025 Spring Training with a 6-3 victory over the Houston Astros. A bases-clearing double by Nationals prospect Robert Hassell III in the top of the ninth inning sealed the win.

RHP Jake Irvin started for the Nationals, pitching a planned one inning and retiring the Astros on just eight pitches. Jacob Young recorded the Nationals' first hit of the spring, a sharp single in the third inning off Astros pitcher Miguel Castro (who had relieved pitching prospect Ryan Gusto). Young then stole third, and Nationals outfielder and top prospect Dylan Crews drove him in with an RBI single, giving Washington a 1-0 lead.

The Nationals added two more runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Josh Bell, in his return to Washington, doubled in the fourth.

Strong pitching performances from Nationals relievers Jose Ferrer, Evan Reifert, Eduardo Salazar, and Joan Adon helped maintain the lead. However, the Astros tied the game in the bottom of the eighth, scoring two runs on one hit against RHP Tyler Stuart, acquired from the Mets at last year's trade deadline for Jesse Winker.

RHP Jarlin Susana's 2025 debut saw him labor in the sixth inning. The Nationals' right-hander faced six batters, allowing a line drive and two walks, but ultimately escaped without surrendering a run. His fastball velocity remained impressive, ranging from 99 to 103 mph.

In the top of the ninth, the Nationals were able to load the bases with two outs, and thanks to a bases-clearing double by Nationals prospect Robert Hassell III, which almost left the park, gave the Washington Nationals a 6-3 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning.

Up next:

The Washington Nationals open their Spring Training home schedule against their NL East rivals, the New York Mets. This will be a split-squad game for the Mets, with other players remaining in Port St. Lucie. New acquisition Shinnosuke Ogasawara will start for the Nationals.