Fedde roughed up by Marlins (game ends in a 5-5 tie)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP

Score: Marlins 5, Nats 5

Recap: Erick Fedde, getting perhaps his last chance to start in a Grapefruit League game this spring, lasted only 1 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old prospect was battered around for five runs on four hits, three walks and a hit batter while throwing 51 pitches during a disappointing performance. A Nationals lineup made up mostly of backups was shut out for four innings before finally springing to life. Wilmer Difo drove in a run with a fifth-inning triple. Adrian Sanchez, Caleb Ramsey and Isaac Ballou then collectively drove in four more runs in the seventh to tie the game.

Need to know: Joe Blanton made his third appearance of the spring and cruised through a quick fourth inning. The veteran reliever, who signed a $4 million with the Nationals earlier this month, retired the side and struck out a pair, with a fastball that registered 91 mph. ... Michael A. Taylor went 2-for-3, raising his spring batting average to .444.

On deck: Saturday, vs. Astros in West Palm Beach, 1:05 p.m.
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JUPITER, Fla. - If this was Erick Fedde's final opportunity to make a positive impression on the Nationals' major-league staff this spring, he didn't make the most of it.

Fedde was roughed up by the Marlins this afternoon, knocked out after allowing five runs in only 1 2/3 laborious innings at Roger Dean Stadium.

The organization's top pitching prospect struggled throughout with his command, throwing only 26 of his 51 pitches for strikes. He issued three walks and hit a batter, failing to record any strikeouts.

Fedde needed 34 pitches to complete the first inning, then couldn't complete the second. After plunking Derek Dietrich in the side with a fastball, he left an off-speed pitch up to Marcell Ozuna, who hammered it deep to left field for a three-run homer.

Manager Dusty Baker made the long walk to the mound after that, taking the ball from the 24-year-old with a rare, mid-inning spring pitching change.

Regardless of the outcome, this likely was going to be Fedde's final Grapefruit League start. With ace Max Scherzer scheduled to make his game debut Wednesday now that the stress fracture in his right ring finger has healed, Fedde's temporary spot in the Nationals rotation figures to be lost.

Rated the Nationals' No. 2 prospect behind outfielder Victor Robles, Fedde had impressed so far in his first big league camp, failing to allow an earned run in seven innings. Today's outing, though, might leave a bitter taste in everyone's mouths.

The Nationals trailed 5-0 when Fedde departed but have stopped the bleeding since. Left-hander Matt Grace tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, while Joe Blanton retired the side (with two strikeouts) in the bottom of the fourth.

The Nats finally got on the board in the top of the fifth when Wilmer Difo's RBI triple scored Spencer Kieboom, trimming the deficit to 5-1.