Washington sent Milone to the mound to start the opener of Grapefruit League action on February 23 , an " away " game for the Nationals at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches against the Astros . Both teams elected to wear the caps of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School baseball team to honor students and staff slain on February 14 in the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in nearby Parkland , Florida . Houston took the lead in the third inning with a two-run home run by catcher Max Stassi off Long , who came on in relief of Milone after two scoreless innings . The Nationals struck back in the fifth inning , with the third baseman Dominguez driving home left fielder Andrew Stevenson after he doubled and then being brought home on an RBI single by first baseman Jose Marmolejos . But the tie game was short-lived , as Dragmire took the mound in the bottom of the fifth and immediately surrendered a solo home run to Astros third baseman J. D. Davis . Both teams were effectively kept off the board for the rest of the game , and the Astros won 3 – 2
Stoneman Douglas High School shooting
Stoneman Douglas High School shooting
2018 Washington Nationals season