A big base knock for Carroll (Nationals win 6-3)

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

March 29, 2012, 11:03am

Comments

VIERA, Fla. - A six-run sixth inning has given the Nationals a 6-1 lead over the Braves and has Edwin Jackson in line for his second win of spring. Ah, the old meaningless Grapefruit League statistics. The numbers are almost always insignificant in spring, but every now and then, they prove to be important. Such was the case in that sixth inning, when Brett Carroll - a guy who is trying to win one of the Nats final roster spots - cleared the bases with a triple to right-center and then came home on a throwing error. Carroll barely got in before the throw home, avoiding the tag by sliding towards the pitching mound-side of the plate and giving a fist pump after he was called safe. The 29-year-old utility player likely had a roster spot locked up coming into today's game, but a three-RBI triple sure can't hurt his cause. Carroll's bases-clearing triple came after Ryan Zimmerman gave the Nats a 2-1 lead earlier in the inning with a two-run homer to right. It was Zimmerman's third homer of the spring. Update: The Nationals defeated the Braves 6-3.