Rocky outing for Jackson vs. Detroit

VIERA, Fla. - Chad Durbin has come out for the top of the fifth inning, meaning Edwin Jackson's day is done. The results weren't all that pretty for Jackson in his four innings of work, as the Nationals righty allowed four runs on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Ten baserunners in four innings? Probably not what Jackson wanted, although I guess it fits his history. Jackson threw 71 pitches, 41 for strikes. He got through the first two innings without allowing a run and having thrown just 25 pitches, but struggled in his third inning of work, allowing three runs, even with the benefit of a great diving catch by center fielder Jayson Werth and a caught stealing to end the inning. Catcher Jesus Flores showed off his improved arm strength on the caught stealing, gunning Tigers second baseman Ryan Raburn at second. Jackson allowed three baserunners to start the fourth inning on two singles and a walk, but got out of the jam allowing just one run. The Nats got two runs in the second on back-to-back two-out RBI singles by Roger Bernadina and Ian Desmond, and their third run came when Chad Tracy plated Danny Espinosa with an RBI base hit in the third. Bryce Harper has gone 0-for-2 so far today, striking out in both plate appearances. His spring batting average now stands at .280 (7-for-25). Durbin had a rough go of it in the fifth, allowing five runs, although only one was earned. The Tigers have a 9-3 lead as we go to the bottom of the fifth.