The Detroit Tigers lost at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Florida, against the Washington Nationals Wednesday 9-2 after another rough pitching outing. 

David Price got the start and gave up four runs on four hits and two walks, but he did strike out three batters in the outing. He went two innings before being replaced. 

"My body feels good, and the first couple starts in spring, that's what you want to make sure that you can control," Price said to Greorge Sipple of the Detroit Free Press. "First and foremost, I want to feel good today. And second, I want to feel good tomorrow. I feel good today, I feel really good. And I think I'll feel good tomorrow.

"I just got to execute more. Throw more strikes, get ahead. Just another game. I'm getting in the swing of things."

The most devastating hit that Price gave up was to Ryan Zimmerman. He doubled to left and scored Wilmer Difo to start the game. Difo later tripled and scored on Ian Desmond's double in the second inning. 

Zimmerman's big day continued with a double that moved Bryce Harper to third base. Later in the fifth inning, Tyler Moore hit a sacrifice fly to score Harper. That gave the Nationals a 6-2 lead. 

Washington's attack did not end there. Drew Vettleson and Matt Skole went deep in the seventh and eighth innings. Vettleson hit a long shot to right field off of Rafael Dolis for a solo-home run. Skole hit a two-run home run against Alberto Cabrera in the eighth. At that point, the Nationals took a 9-2 lead and kept it there for the rest of the game. 

Alex Avila, the Tigers catcher, left the game in the first inning because of a lower back issue. It was later reported as stiffness. The good thing is that nothing is serious, and he should be back in action soon. 

On Thursday, the Tigers have split-squad games against the Philadelphia Phillies (4-4) at 1:05 PM EST and against the Houston Astros (4-2) at 1:05 PM EST. Justin Verlander (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will start against the Phillies in Lakeland, Florida, and Drew VerHagen (1-0, 6.00 ERA) will start against the Astros in Kissimmee, Florida. Jerome Williams (0-1, 1.80ERA) will go for the Phillies, and it is unknown who will pitch for the Astros. 

The Tigers have a 5-4 record so far in the Grapefruit League.