Espinosa, Moore spark offense early (Harper homers, Nats win 7-5)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP

Score: Nationals 7, Astros 5

Recap: Right fielder Bryce Harper smacked his first home run of the spring and Max Scherzer turned in another exceptional performance on the mound in the win. Harper's homer gave the Nats their fifth run of the day in the fourth hitting. Scherzer had six strikeouts in five innings, while allowing one run and three hits with a walk and a hit batter.

Need to know: Danny Espinosa collected his third hit this spring off a right-handed pitcher while batting from the right side when he doubled off Astros starter Samuel Deduno in the first. Tyler Moore was 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI. Nats outfielder Kila Ka'aihue launched his team-leading third home run of the Grapefruit League campaign in the seventh.

On deck: Saturday, vs. Miami Marlins, 1:05 p.m
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KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Nationals jumped on Astros starter Samuel Deduno right out of the gate, taking a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

Center fielder Tony Gwynn Jr. walked to open the game and then scored when shortstop Danny Espinosa delivered a double off Deduno. Tyler Moore's torrid spring coninued with a single to left that plated Espinosa, and Mike Carp followed with a single. Moore crossed the plate after Deduno gave up back-to-back walks to second baseman Dan Uggla and catcher Jose Lobaton. Kevin Frandsen capped the first inning scoring off by lifting a fly ball to left field that allowed Carp to tag from third.

Moore banged another double in the second inning to go 2-for-2 on the afternoon and raise his batting average back up to .400.

Nationals starter Max Scherzer has looked strong so far, giving up just one hit with one strikeout throough two innings.

Update: It took 10 games, but Bryce Harper finally has his first home run of the Grapefruit League season. Harper hit a bomb well over the right field wall off Astros righty Jake Buchanan in the fourth. Harper is 1-for-2 on the day with a walk to up his spring average to .238.

The Astros got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame when catcher Jason Castro hit a two-out solo homer off Scherzer. The Nats ace has given up one run on three hits with four strikeouts through four innings.

Update II: Scherzer finished his day adding two more strikeouts in the fifth. He gave up one run on three hits with six strikeouts, with one walk and one hit batter. in five innings to lower his spring ERA to 1.93. He has 14 strikeouts in 14 innings during the exhibition season.

Astros third baseman Luis Valbuena tagged Nats reliever Xavier Cedeno for a two-run homer in the sixth to pull the Astros within two.

The Nats lead the Astros 5-3 in the seventh.

Update III: Kila Ka-aihue homered in the top of the eighth to make it a 6-3 game, but Heath Bell surrendered two runs in the bottom half as the Astros crept within a run.