Astros 4, Nationals 3: Houston holds on to win despite late charge

Two future Spring Training roommates, the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals, played a game Thursday at Space Coast Stadium in Melbourne, FL. The Astros jumped out to a 4-0 lead and held on for 4-3 win over the Nationals.

Collin McHugh got the start on the mound for the Astros. McHugh allowed two hits and struck out two in three scoreless innings.

Marwin Gonzalez batted cleanup for the Astros and hit like it in the fourth inning -- blasting a two-run home run off Trevor Gott. Colin Moran was able to trot home with Gonzalez after Moran singled to left.

The Astros added two more runs in the sixth. The action was led off by Nolan Fontana. A wild pitch moved Fontana to second, and a groundout by Jake Marisnick put him 90-feet away from scoring.

Moran picked up his second single of the game, scoring Fontana from third. Two more singles from Gonzalez and Jon Kemmer scored Moran.

Joe Musgrove allowed one run on two hits and struck out two. Chris Devenski replaced Musgrove in the seventh and quickly worked himself into a jam -- allowing Matt Skole and Stephen Drew on base with singles.

A passed ball put both runners in scoring position, allowing Trea Turner (sacrifice fly) and Jhonathan Solano (single) to drive in runs.

Jake Buchanan closed out the game with an uneventful ninth inning, striking out one.