NATIONALS 8, ASTROS 3
at Kissimmee, Fla.
Sunday, March 2

Astros at the plate: Lance Berkman, in his first start of the spring, doubled in his first at-bat and finished 1-for-4 for the day. Carlos Lee singled and walked in three plate appearances.

Nationals at the plate: Ryan Zimmerman hit his first homer of the spring, a two-run shot off Shawn Chacon, and Lastings Milledge went 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Wily Mo Pena and Ronnie Belliard hit back-to-back homers off Doug Brocail.

Astros on the mound: Shawn Chacon, one of the candidates for the fifth spot in the rotation, pitched well in his first start. The right-hander threw 34 pitches, including 21 strikes, and a home run by Zimmerman was the only hard hit ball he gave up. Felipe Paulino, a product of the Astros' Venezuelan Academy and rated as No. 2 prospect in the organization by Baseball America, pitched two hitless innings.

Nationals on the mound: Right-hander Steven Shell allowed one run on three hits and a walk in three innings. Left-hander Mike O'Connor gave up a run over 2 2/3 innings.

Grapefruit League records: Astros 1-4, Nationals 2-2.

Up next: Astros lefty Wandy Rodriguez will start Monday against the Yankees at 12:05 p.m. CT in Kissimmee, Fla. Following Rodriguez will be Mark McLemore, Oscar Villarreal, Brian Moehler and Mike DeJean. Mike Mussina is scheduled to start for the Yankees.

The Nationals will host the Cardinals in a 12:05 p.m. CT game at Viera, Fla. Righty Tim Redding will start for Washington, followed by Jason Stanford, Tristan Crawford and Ray King. Righty Braden Looper will go for St. Louis.