Fister, Storen surrender homers in 4-3 loss to Yankees

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP

Score: Yankees 4, Nationals 3

Recap: A pair of two-run homers from the Yankees did in the Nats in the final exhibition game of the spring. Right-hander Doug Fister gave up one of the homers to Yankees second baseman Stephen Drew in the fifth and closer Drew Storen surrendered the other in to outfielder Chris Young the eighth. The Nats got all their offense in the first on a sacrifice fly from first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and a two-run single by DH Wilson Ramos.

Need to know: First basemen/outfielders Clint Robinson and Mike Carp were both 0-for-1 in their last chances to make a case to for the final roster spot. Alex Rodriguez was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts on the afternoon as the Yankees DH. Nats right-hander Max Scherzer is set to take the hill for the first time in his career on opening day on Monday afternoon against the Mets.

On deck: Monday, vs. Mets at Nationals Park, 4:05 p.m. (MASN)
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For the second straight day, the Nationals lit up the scoreboard early against the Yankees. A pair of hits from center fielder Michael A. Taylor and third baseman Yunel Escobar and a walk to right fielder Bryce Harper loaded the bases for first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who delivered a sacrifice fly to center that advanced all three runners.

Catcher Wilson Ramos followed with a two-run single straight back up the box against Yankees starter Nathan Eovaldi.

The Nats also got to Yankees starter CC Sabathia for three runs in the first inning yesterday.

Nats right-hander Doug Fister is perfect through the first three innings.

Update: After breezing through the first four innings, Fister ran into some difficulty in the fifth, when Yankees catcher Brian McCann led off with a double against the shift. Two batters later, second baseman Stephen Drew took Fister deep to right field for a two-run homer. It's the seventh home run allowed by Fister in 21 2/3 innings pitched this spring.

The Nats have managed just one hit the past four innings after scoring three in the first.

Update II: Fister pitched six innings giving up only two runs on the McCann homer. He finishes the exhibition season with a 5.96 ERA over 22 2/3 innings, the highest among the Nats starters.

On the bubble watch: Clint Robinson entered the game in right field in the sixth, while Mike Carp took over at first base. The two are competing for the final position player roster spot as a left-handed bat off the bench.

The Nats lead the Yankees 3-2 in the seventh.