Haren starts slow, then settles in

VIERA, Fla. - Even though Dan Haren has pitched in 10 big league seasons, it's entirely possible he was a little nervous in his first inning of spring. Today was Haren's first time pitching in a Nationals uniform, and his first time on a mound in a game situation in about five months. I wouldn't blame the guy if he had some nerves early on. Haren was shaky in his first inning of work this afternoon, giving up a triple off the center field wall to Christian Yelich on his second pitch of the game, surrendering a hard-hit single to left to Matt Downs and then booting a ground ball back to mound that resulted in a fielding error. The 32-year-old was able to retire Alfredo Silverio on a weak grounder to first and then get Chris Coghlan swinging to end the inning, limiting the Marlins to just a run in the first. Haren needed 20 pitches to get through the first inning, 14 of which were strikes. In his second frame, Haren really looked sharp. He needed just 15 pitches in the second, retired the side in order and got back-to-back strikeouts to end his outing. He's done after two innings. Haren's line: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 Ks, 35 pitches, 24 strikes. Bryce Harper struck out in his first at-bat of the day, making him 6-of-9 on the season. The guy really needs some more seasoning, I guess. Jayson Werth struck out looking and Denard Span was caught stealing to end the first, with Marlins catcher Kyle Skipworth putting the finishing touches on the strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out double play. Craig Stammen is in to start the third inning with the Nationals trailing 1-0.