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Jackson shines as Nationals down Reds

Apr 15, 2012 - 2:12 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Edwin Jackson tossed a complete game, two- hitter and the Washington Nationals took down the Cincinnati Reds, 4-1, in the third test of a four-game set at Nationals Park on Saturday.

Jackson (1-0) gave up just one run and one walk while striking out nine for Washington, which has won five consecutive games.

"His stuff was outstanding," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. "Hitters were swinging early in the count...His command was outstanding."

Adam LaRoche finished 2-for-3 with a two-run double, while Jayson Werth added an RBI double and Jesus Flores went 3-for-3 with an RBI single for the Nats.

Homer Bailey (0-2) gave up three runs on seven hits and four walks over six innings for the Reds, who have dropped three straight.

Drew Stubbs knocked in the only run for Cincinnati in defeat.

"I think I can speak for everyone on the pitching staff when I say that there's going to be those times where we don't pitch well and our hitting is going to pick us up. We understand the game," said Bailey.

The Reds opened the scoring in the second inning when Miguel Cairo ripped a one-out double and Chris Heisey was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base. Stubbs followed by slapping a single into left to bring home Cairo and give the Reds the early lead.

Washington answered in the bottom half of the second after LaRoche and Xavier Nady walked around a fielder's choice by Werth to put two runners on base with one out. Following a fly out by Rick Ankiel, Flores came though with an RBI single to left to bring in Werth.

The Nationals added two more runs in their next at-bat to push the lead to 3-1. Danny Espinosa coaxed a one-out walk from Bailey and Ryan Zimmerman followed with an infield single. LaRoche then got a fastball from Bailey and hammered it into the right-center field gap to plate Espinosa and Zimmerman.

Washington made it 4-1 in the seventh after back-to-back singles by Espinosa and LaRoche around a Zimmerman pop up, followed by an RBI double down the right field line from Werth.

Jackson cruised through the final two innings to finish off the victory for Washington.

Game Notes

It was Jackson's fifth career complete game...Washington matched its longest April winning streak since it won five straight from April 12-17, 2005...At 6-2, the Nationals are off to their best start since the team relocated to DC from Montreal for the 2005 season...Cairo left the game in the second inning with a left hamstring strain...The Nationals went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 runners, while the Reds were 1-for-2 with runners in scoring position and left only two men on base...Jackson is 1-0 in two career starts against Cincinnati.