Marlins Touch Up Nats' Zimmermann For 8 Runs In 8-0 Romp
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JUPITER (CBSMiami/AP) — The Miami Marlins closed out their Spring Training schedule on a very positive note.
Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer and Mike Morse had a three-run shot as the Marlins roughed up Jordan Zimmermann in an 8-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.
Morse connected in the first and Stanton sent a drive onto the roof of the Marlins' clubhouse beyond the left field wall in the second as Miami opened an early 7-0 lead in its final Grapefruit League game.
"I felt fine," said Zimmermann. "Location was the issue today. I feel good. I'm ready to go. It just wasn't a good day, today. I'm glad it happened now and not during the season."
Morse's homer was his fifth of the spring. Stanton has four.
"To get results of hits and hitting the ball hard is a by-product of the work I put in," Morse said. "I think I had a good, productive spring working on some things. I'm ready to use it now in the season."
Pitching for the first time since Major League Baseball began investigating gambling-related posts that appeared on his Twitter account and, a day later, being scratched from his scheduled start because of a blister, Miami starter Jarred Cosart was sharp in his final spring appearance, allowing only one hit and walking three in six innings.
"I was pretty focused today," Cosart said. "I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish, which was get to that 6-7 inning mark and I only got there in 75 pitches. I still had more in the tank."
Miami completed Grapefruit League play with a record of 14-12-1.
STARTING TIME
Marlins: Cosart had been on pace to potentially start the second game of the regular season, but the Marlins want him throw one more extended bullpen session prior to appearing in a game, which likely pushes his first start into the first weekend of the season.
Nationals: All the off days in the coming week will prompt Zimmermann to throw an extended bullpen session before making his first appearance of the regular season.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: Doctors have told reliever Aaron Crow he needs to elbow ligament-replacement surgery. Crow will get a second opinion before making a decision. He had been ticketed to be a member of the Marlins 25-man opening-day roster.
Nationals: Manager Matt Williams said Anthony Rendon's MCL sprain will land him on the disabled list to begin the season. ... Outfielder Jayson Werth hit in a minor league game again on Wednesday but he, too, is all but certain to begin the season on the DL. ... Closer Drew Storen's blistered toe is healing. He should resume throwing in the coming days.
NATIONAL MOVES
Washington released Kevin Frandsen and reassigned Tony Gwynn Jr. to minor league camp on Wednesday morning. After the game, the Nationals reassigned Rafael Martin and Ian Stewart to minor league camp.
SMALL TOWN BALL
Miami manager Mike Redmond is looking forward playing exhibition games in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Friday and Jacksonville on Saturday against the Marlins' minor league affiliates. "Some of these guys have played in these ballparks. I think it's fun for them to come back and say hello to the fans and sign autographs, and I know it's great for the fans in Greensboro and Jacksonville to be able to see these guys again and see them as big leaguers," Redmond said.
HEY, I KNOW THAY GUY
Two days after being released by Miami and signed by Washington, Reid Johnson came off the bench to play left field for the Nationals, going 0 for 1.
UP NEXT
Marlins: With its Grapefruit League schedule complete, Miami plans to start Tom Koehler in Greensboro on Friday and Dan Haren the following night at Jacksonville.
Nationals: Washington is off on Thursday, then travels to Tampa on Friday for its Grapefruit League finale against the New York Yankees.
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