Rendon goes yard again as Nats pile it on early (Gonzalez goes three)

JUPITER, Fla. - Davey Johnson has stated unequivocally that Anthony Rendon has no shot of making the Nationals' opening day roster. Rendon doesn't seem to be letting that bit of news affect him in the least. The 22-year-old infielder just crushed his second home run of the spring, a long fly to dead center that bounced high off the batter's eye. It was a two-run shot, giving the Nationals a 4-1 lead heading to the third. Rendon now is 6-for-14 this spring and four of his hits have been for extra bases - two home runs and two doubles. The Nationals' top prospect also now has seven RBIs despite this being just his seventh game played. He isn't the only one doing damage against Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright early on, however. The Nationals have seven hits in their first 12 at-bats off Wainwright. Five of their first six hitters to come to the plate in the second inning slapped base hits off the veteran righty, who was a runner-up for the National League Cy Young award in 2010. Danny Espinosa is 2-for-2 with two hard-hit singles. Gio Gonzalez, meanwhile, allowed a run in the first on an Allen Craig double to left that brought in Oscar Taveras. A perfect relay from Tyler Moore to Ian Desmond to Kurt Suzuki cut down a would-be second run at the plate. Gonzalez worked a 1-2-3 second inning, and has now thrown 30 pitches, 17 of which have been strikes. It's 4-1 Nats going to the third inning here in Jupiter. Update: Chris Marrero just took Wainwright yard out to right field, a solo shot that makes it 5-1 Nats. The wind is blowing out here at Roger Dean Stadium, but the Nats have been crushing the ball so far. Update II: Gonzalez allowed another run in the third after Jon Jay, Taveras and Allen Craig strung together three singles. Craig's infield single, which Ian Desmond could not corral, brought in Jay to make it a 5-2 game. After a 22-pitch third inning, Gonzalez has now thrown 52 pitches overall, 31 of which were strikes. That will wrap up his day. Gonzalez's final line: 3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 0 Ks.