Pitchers dominate early in Game 2 (Nats win 3-1)

As one might expect after a long, drawn-out first game, the start of the second game of the doubleheader has been dominated by the quality pitching of Nationals right-hander Edwin Jackson and Rockies right-hander Jon Gray.

Jackson has allowed two hits but has struck out five in the first three innings. Gray has countered by retiring nine straight hitters and striking out four.

Game 1 went to the Rockies 10-6 and lasted three hours and 48 minutes.

After three innings, the Nats and Rockies are scoreless.

Update: The Rockies got on the board first with a run in the fifth inning. With two men on, Gerardo Parra laced a single to right field to score pitcher Jon Gray. Parra got hung up between first and second after the throw came in from Brian Goodwin. After the relay to Daniel Murphy as Parra backtracked to first, the second baseman threw home to nab a sliding Charlie Blackmon. Matt Wieters applied the tag to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Anthony Rendon singled for the first base hit of the game for the Nationals. Adam Lind followed with a mammoth two-run shot, his ninth of the season, to make it 2-1 Nats, their first lead of the series.

One batter later, Goodwin hit his 11th of the season and the Nats extended their lead to 3-1. WIlmer Difo tripled but was stranded at third.

After four innings, the Nats lead the Rockies 3-1.

Update II: The Nats desperately needed their starting pitcher in Game 2 to come through after employing four relievers in their Game 1 10-6 loss. Jackson did just that with seven strong innings, allowing one run on four hits, striking out six and walking two. He fired 112 pitches, 70 for strikes.

Update III: Ryan Madson had two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth. Bryce Harper pinch-hit and grounded out. Sean Doolittle is expected in the ninth.

Update IV: Doolittle pitched a scoreless ninth for his sixth save, three of them with the Nats.

The Nats split the doubleheader with 3-1 win over Rockies. In a crisp two hours, 31 minutes.