González endures first rough start of the spring (Nats lose 5-1)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP

Score: Astros 5, Nats 1

Recap: Gio González struggled through his worst start in an otherwise fantastic spring, allowing five runs in five innings, including a pair of home runs. The left-hander entered with a 1.10 ERA but departed with that number having jumped to 2.95. The Nationals managed only one run off Astros starter Joe Musgrove, the product of Trea Turner's leadoff double in the first and Bryce Harper's sacrifice fly.

Need to know: Matt Albers tossed two more scoreless innings of relief, extending his run of zeroes this spring to 11 2/3 innings. The veteran right-hander has an opt-out clause in contract that he can exercise Monday. ... Joe Nathan also has to decide Monday whether to opt out of his contract. The 42-year-old reliever gave up two singles in the top of the eighth but kept Houston from scoring. He has allowed five earned runs in 11 2/3 innings this spring.

On deck: Monday vs. Mets in Port St. Lucie, 1:05 p.m.

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Gio González's otherwise flawless spring training hit an expected bump in the road this afternoon.

González was roughed up by the Astros to the tune of five runs in five innings, by far his worst start of the spring, with only one more tune-up available before the regular season begins.

It was an out-of-character start for González, at least by the lofty standards he has established over the last month. The left-hander entered the day sporting a 1.10 ERA in four previous Grapefruit League outings and actually reduced that number below 1.00 after two scoreless innings to begin his start.

But then Jake Marisnick clobbered a first-pitch fastball to left for a home run in the top of the third. And then things spiraled further downhill in the top of the fourth. José Altuve beat out a grounder to the hole at short, with Trea Turner unable to make the difficult play. Yulieski Gurriel drove him home with a double to left. Josh Reddick drove him home with a single. And then Marwin Gonzalez launched a two-run homer to left to complete a four-run rally.

González returned to the mound for the fifth inning and continued to labor, though he escaped the inning without suffering any more damage. He departed after that, his pitch count at 91 (58 strikes), his spring ERA now 2.95.

The Nationals had given González a modest 1-0 lead in the first inning. Turner led off with a double into the left field corner, took third on Daniel Murphy's flyball to right and scored on Bryce Harper's sacrifice fly to center.

Astros starter Joe Musgrove, though, didn't allow much else during his five innings of work, leaving the Nats in a hole.