Jackson locked in through five innings

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

March 29, 2012, 10:20am

Comments

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals' M.A.S.H. unit currently trails the Braves 1-0 here entering in the sixth inning Edwin Jackson has been fantastic so far, allowing just two hits and a walk, retiring 10 hitters in a row at one point. Braves center fielder Jason Heyward rudely snapped that streak leading off the fifth inning, however, demolishing a pitch over the batter's eye in center field, a wall which is about 400 feet from home plate and must be at least 30 feet high. That ball was crushed. Setting that one pitch aside, the Nationals have to be pleased with the way Jackson has attacked hitters today and not gotten into many three-ball counts. Adam LaRoche is 1-for-2 today in his first game action since March 15. He got to make a turn at first base - which he's been restricted from doing lately as he recovers from a left foot injury - but then immediately had to retreat to the dugout after Xavier Nady grounded into a double play. Nady is 0-for-2 today with the GIDP and a strikeout, making him 1-for-5 with three strikeouts since joining the Nats yesterday. The Nats have just two hits so far today.