Astros at the plate: Jason Smith put the Astros on the board first, driving in Darin Erstad with an RBI triple in the fifth frame. Michael Bourn knocked a double in the sixth to drive in Drew Sutton. Mark Saccomanno tripled to lead off the seventh and scored when center fielder Roger Bernadina overthrew home plate after fielding Humberto Quintero's fly ball. Reggie Abercrombie drove in two with a double later in that inning, and Chris Johnson knocked a solo homer in the eighth.

Nationals at the plate: Alberto Gonzalez turned in the Nationals' only multi-hit performance, going 2-for-2. Wily Mo Pena also recorded a hit for Washington, singling in the sixth. Ronnie Belliard led off the eighth with a base hit and scored on a groundout by Javier Valentin.

Astros on the mound: Mike Hampton turned a rough beginning into a solid outing, allowing no runs over two scoreless frames. He hit the first batter he faced and walked the next two to load the bases, but he struck out Austin Kearns and coaxed a double play from Jesus Flores to end the inning. Russ Ortiz, a fifth-starter hopeful, allowed one hit over two innings.

Nationals on the mound: John Lannan pitched well for the Nationals, allowing no hits over two scoreless innings, striking out one. Shairon Martis allowed one hit over two innings, striking out two.

Grapefruit League records: Astros 1-0; Nationals 0-1

Up next: The Astros will travel to Disney on Thursday to play the Braves at 1:05 p.m. ET. Roy Oswalt will face Braves righty Jorge Campillo. The Nationals will host the Tigers at 1:05 p.m. ET. Right-hander Collin Balester will take the hill for the Nationals. The Tigers will counter with right-hander Edwin Jackson.