After opening Grapefruit League play with back-to-back losses to the Houston Astros, the Nationals recorded their first official win of Spring Training Monday night, defeating the New York Mets 3-1 in Port St. Lucie.
Bryce Harper made his second spring training start while batting sixth and playing right field. The 19-year-old top prospect went 2-for-2 with two singles and a walk. Harper is now 4-for-7 so far this spring, but still does not have an extra base hit.
John Lannan got the start for Washington and went three innings, allowing one run on three hits with a walk and a strikeout. New York took a 1-0 lead two batters into the game after Andres Torres walked, stole second, and scored on a single by Daniel Murphy. But Lannan recovered to retire Justin Turner on a lineout to right field and induce a 4-6-3 double play from Ike Davis.
Rick Ankiel tied the game with a solo home run in the top of the second inning and the Nationals took a 2-1 lead in the 5th when Eury Perez scored on Mark Teahhen's sacrifice fly. Jhonatan Solano provided the final margin of victory when Brett Carroll scored on Solano's RBI groundout in the eighth.
The Nationals continue Spring Training play with a game against the Braves Tuesday afternoon in Lake Buena Vista.