More Bad News for Detroit

Nationals 2 - Tigers 1

The Big Three automakers are on the verge of collapse, the Mayor resigned in disgrace (take a hint, JimBo), people are encasing themselves in ice, the Lions... and now this. (Box score)

The starting pitching led the way again, as Collin Balester and Jordan Zimmermann combined for 4 hitless innings. J.Z. racked up 3 Ks in two innings in his Spring Training debut, but just as impressive were his 3 groundball outs. Strike people out and keep the ball on the ground, that's a formula for success at any level.

"Irish" Mike O'Connor joined the reliever chokefest a day late, giving up a run on 2 hits and 2 walks with 2 strikeouts in one inning of work. I guess that's what you'd call a sort of Three True Outcomes pitching line. OK, not really. Rule 5 draftee Terrell Young worked two hitless relief innings with a BB and a K, which is nice if you want to see him do well enough to needlessly tie-up a roster spot all season.

Two runs on four hits means nothing much to report on the offensive front. Pete Orr went 2-3 and scored both runs, but also had the game's only error. The Snowman, Wil Nieves, smoked an RBI double to center, but otherwise, ZZZZzzzzz.

Honorary 25-man roster spots go to: J.Z. and Dead Weight.