KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) -Brett Myers showed off his new threads during the Astros' windy spring training opener.

Unfortunately, the veteran pitcher's control wasn't quite as sharp as his new uniform.

Myers, the longtime Phillies hurler, allowed three runs - two earned - in two innings, but the Astros rallied with nine runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and cruised to a 15-5 win over a Washington Nationals split-squad on Thursday.

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Myers is projected to be the Astros' No. 3 starter behind Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez.

He walked three and allowed one hit while striking out one in his first trip to the mound since Game 3 of last season's World Series. With winds gusting to 20 mph, he threw only 18 of his 40 pitches for strikes.

``The good thing was that my ball was moving a lot,' Myers said. ``The bad thing is I couldn't control where it was moving.'

Myers signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Astros in January after spending his eight previous seasons with the Phillies. He went 73-63 with a 4.40 ERA during his tenure in Philadelphia. He had a career-best 14 wins in 2003 and went on a streak of four straight seasons where he won at least 11 games from 2003-06.

Myers values the experiences he had in Philadelphia, but he says he's ready to move on.

``I have to put my focus on this team instead of things in the past,' he said. ``It's time to focus on this ball club and take them that extra step.'

Hunter Pence had a great start to his spring. The rightfielder doubled and then homered in back-to-back at bats during a nine-run, fourth inning for the Astros. He finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBIs.

Pence, who has hit 25 home runs in each of his last two seasons, says he was chomping at the bit to get the spring games started.

``I love the game. I had trouble sleeping last night,' Pence said, drawing a chuckle from teammate Michael Bourn. ``I know everyone will make fun of me, but I was very excited and it feels good to get out and play some baseball and play well.'

Third baseman Pedro Feliz, one of the Astros major offseason acquisitions, went 2 for 3 with a run scored. J.R. Towles, who is in competition with Jason Castro for the starting catcher job, went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Reserve outfielder Jason Michaels and minor leaguers Chris Johnson and Yordany Ramirez also homered for the Astros. Michaels finished 3-for-3 with two runs.

Two of the Nationals key offseason additions to their bullpen, righty Matt Capps and lefty Eddie Guardado, failed to impress.

Capps, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal this December, gave up a home run to Michaels in the fifth on the first pitch and allowed two runs in an inning of work. Guardado, who signed a non-guaranteed, minor league deal in December, allowed a homer to Ramirez and gave up three runs on four hits in an inning.

Washington starter Garrett Mock, who's trying to earn a spot within the starting rotation after the team added free agent starters Chien-Ming Wang, Jason Marquis, Livan Hernandez and Miguel Batista, tossed two scoreless innings, allowing just three hits. He threw 13 of his 21 pitches for strikes.

NOTES: Houston All-Star first baseman Lance Berkman sat out the game with a bruised left knee, but will start in the designated hitter spot Friday when the Astros travel to Lakeland to play the Tigers. He's expected to start at first base on Saturday against the Braves. ... Rodriguez is slated to start Friday's split-squad game against the Tigers. ... Nationals pitching prospect Drew Storen struck out one during a 1-2-3 sixth inning.