Laser Eye Surgery

Fatigue sets in for Rauch Nationals starter Jon Rauch looked good until the fourth inning of yesterday's start against the Houston Astros.

Rauch, who is one of five pitchers vying for three spots in the Nationals rotation, took the loss in the 8-6 game.

In the inning, Rauch loaded the bases with two walks and a single by Astros shortstop Chris Burke.

Then outfielder Charlton Jimerson, who made his major league debut last season with one game as a defensive substitute but no at-bats, sent a Rauch fastball over the right-center field fence — well more than 400 feet away — for a grand slam.

"I got tired, it's been months since I've gone more than three innings," Rauch said of his 62-pitch performance.

"I feel like I got tired and it showed with my pitching.

The ball stayed up in the zone and a lot more stuff got hit and I couldn't locate anymore." The 6-foot-11 Rauch has allowed four home runs in 61/3 innings this spring.

Yesterday, he gave up five runs on five hits in 31/3 innings.

He struck out three and walked three.

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