A new deal in Washington

(Doug Pensinger photo)

Right-hander Tony Armas Jr. is the starting pitcher 19 years ago today as the newly minted Washington Nationals play their first exhibition game in Viera, Fla.

Armas, who spends all or parts of the six previous seasons with the Montreal Expos before their relocation to D.C., throws two scoreless innings against the New York Mets in a game the Nationals win 5-3 before a capacity crowd of 7,558 at Space Coast Stadium.