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Nats hope to get another gem from Jackson vs. Astros

Apr 19, 2012 - 2:56 PM (Sports Network) - Right-hander Edwin Jackson aims to follow up his fifth career complete game with another gem tonight, when the Washington Nationals aim for a sweep of the Houston Astros in the finale of their four-game series at Nationals Park.

Jackson, a 28-year-old, had four complete games through 174 big-league starts prior to April 14, when he allowed a run on two hits over the nine-inning distance while defeating the Cincinnati Reds, 2-1.

He had walked away with a no-decision in his lone previous 2012 outing, scattering four hits and giving up three runs in five innings of the Nationals' 4-3 loss against the New York Mets on April 8.

Jackson reached double-digit wins for the fourth consecutive season with two teams in 2011, splitting between the Chicago White Sox (7-7) and St. Louis Cardinals (5-2) to wind up 12-9 overall in 32 appearances.

He won 14 games with Tampa Bay in 2008, 13 with Detroit in 2009 and 10 while splitting time with Arizona and the White Sox in 2010.

He is 2-0 in five career meetings - four starts - with the Astros while posting a 3.65 earned run average across 24 2/3 innings.

Houston counters with 27-year-old righty Bud Norris, who'll also make his third start of the season while seeking win No. 1.

The Californian has allowed 10 hits and five earned runs across 13 innings in 2012 meetings with Colorado and Miami, but nonetheless wound up with no- decisions in games the Astros won 3-2 and 5-4, respectively.

Norris won his lone decision in two starts against Washington with a 2.63 ERA in 13 2/3 innings.

On Wednesday, Wilson Ramos' sacrifice fly in the eighth inning was the difference as the Nationals topped the Astros, 3-2.

Jayson Werth and Roger Bernadina knocked in the other runs for Washington, which improved to 10-3 on the season.

Ryan Mattheus (2-0) earned the win despite allowing a run in an inning of relief, while Henry Rodriguez tossed a perfect ninth inning to record his third save of the year.

Jordan Schafer had two hits and an RBI in the Astros' fourth straight loss and their seventh in the last eight games.

Fernando Rodriguez (0-2) suffered the loss, giving up two runs in 1/3 inning of relief.

The Astros and Nats split their six meetings last season, with each team winning twice at home.