Hearing from Dusty Baker after Nats' 4-3 loss

VIERA, Fla. - In what turned out to be a 4-3 Nationals loss to the Astros on Thursday night, what looked like a stellar play by promising shortstop prospect Trea Turner loomed large - and for all the wrong reasons.

With the Astros up 2-0 on Marwin Gonzalez's two-run homer off Trevor Gott in the fourth, Nolan Fontana led off with an infield single off Aaron Laffey and moved to second on a wild pitch. Jake Marisnick then grounded a ball into the hole at short, where Turner backed a nice backhand pick, turned and fired a strong-armed strike to Stephen Drew at first.

There was only one problem with the highlight-reel defense: Turner was supposed to go to third, since he had the play and the runner in front of him.

The next batter, Colin Moran, singled to right to score Fontanta, and Moran later came around on Jon Kemmer's RBI single.

"That was a big play in the game," manager Dusty Baker said. "When I went to the mound to ... take Laffey out, I was pleased by the play, but he's supposed to throw that ball to third base and get the lead runner. These are the things that end up costing you. And he knew it. This is why you're here to play and here to learn at the same time. It was a fine play, but the play was in front of him."

Of course, you'd never have known Baker was displeased by his demeanor during the pitching change. He took the time while Wander Suero trotted in from the bullpen to question Turner about his decision and to make sure third baseman Matt Skole knew that he had to be ready for a throw from the hole in that situation.

"As long as he knew and as long as Skole knew to cover the bag," Baker said. "I asked them both and they both realized it. So I'm sure things like that won't happen again. We've got some pretty smart young players. And if they're not smart, then we'll help them be smart."

The twin two-run innings negated right-hander Bronson Arroyo's perfect three innings in his first spring start. Arroyo didn't allow a hit and fanned three.

"That was vintage Bronson Arroyo," Baker said. "He was mixing speeds, different breaking balls on his fastball. They said he only took two signs and he would change speeds off 'em. That's how you pitch. That's pitching right there at its finest."

Arroyo is in camp as a non-roster player on a minor league deal, trying to horn his way into one of the two open spots at the back end of the Nationals rotation. Baker had Arroyo in Cincinnati and understands the impact the veteran could have on some of the young pitchers on his staff.

In an era where everyone's nuts about velocity, Baker says a craftsman on the mound can still carve out his niche.

"They don't sign guys that just pitch so much. They sign guys with velocity and that's not pitching, the difference between throwing and pitching. Those are the kind of guys you don't like to face, the guys that pitch. As a hitter in the past, you don't mind velocity. ... He can help some of our guys that have velocity. Imagine if you have velocity and know how to pitch. You're gonna be unhittable."

Baker liked what he saw of Gott, the righty reliever acquired from the Angels in the Yunel Escobar trade. Gott's 9.00 spring ERA doesn't look very impressive, but he's made an impression on his new manager.

"He got some balls over the heart of the plate to some left-hand hitters who like fastballs," Baker said. "But he has electric stuff. You can tell how he pitches, he's not scared or intimidated of anybody."

Baker said his regulars would get another start tomorrow when the Nationals host the Mets. For some, it will be their third start in as many days, but there's a method to Baker's madness.

"They've played two days in a row now, back to back, and they'll play tomorrow - a very short day, probably three innings tomorrow to simulate day game after a night game," Baker explained. "Just sort of get your body acclimated to whatever's going to happen in the season. Late games, early turnarounds - just different things to simulate."