The Boston Red Sox looked as if they might conclude spring training with a win. But their comeback efforts -- a run in each of the final two innings -- fell short, as the Sox tied the Washington Nationals, 4-4, at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. The teams called the game after nine innings.
John Farrell pulled his starters midway through the game, but not before Andrew Benintendi and Christian Vasquez managed a pair of hits in their two at-bats. Jackie Bradley and Pablo Sandoval were the other Rex Sox starters to manage hits.
Starter Eduardo Rodriguez struggled in the first inning with three consecutive walks, one of which came on bases loaded and allowed Jason Werth an easy trot home. Rodriguez finished with four strikeouts over the next 2 1/3 innings. He left the game with two earned runs.
Mookie Betts discussed playing in front of 1,030 fans, most of which were military members.
"It's amazing just to see what they have to go through to protect our country," Red Sox outfielder Betts said, via USA TODAY. "Some of us take those things for granted, but to actually get to see it first hand, it makes you appreciate it a lot more."