Five days ago, Edwin Jackson tossed a complete-game gem, allowing one run on two hits with nine strikeouts.
Yeah, things haven't gone quite that smoothly so far this outing.
Jackson got lit up in the first inning tonight, allowing six straight hits and five runs. Remarkably, three of Houston's six hits were triples, marking the first time in Astros history they've recorded three triples in an inning.
It also ties an Astros record for most triples in a single game.
Jackson was able to...
Ian Desmond has gotten off to a nice start this season, hitting .300 with a homer, four RBIs and a .333 on-base percentage.
Tonight, the Nationals' starting shortstop will get his first day off of the 2012 campaign.
Steve Lombardozzi will play shortstop and hit leadoff for Davey Johnson's Nats tonight as they look for the sweep against Bud Norris and the Astros.
If they can pick up another win tonight, the Nats would earn their first four-game home sweep since arriving in D.C. in 2005....
As promised, both Mark DeRosa and Xavier Nady are in manager Davey Johnson's lineup today, as the Nationals will load up with right-handed hitters against Astros lefty Wandy Rodriguez.
Interestingly, DeRosa is in right today with Nady in left. This will be DeRosa's first action in right field this season.
Wilson Ramos also gets a day off today, as Jesus Flores is behind the plate to catch Gio Gonzalez.
Here are today's lineups:
Nationals
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Ryan...
Let's get you ready for the first month of the season, and if you have the good fortune of seeing the Nationals on the road to begin in Chicago and New York, here is a quick primer.
Every time I get an advance schedule for a local team, I always look to see what other sporting events are going on in the four major professional sports and check the live music or comedy schedules to see if they possibly matchup with off-days. I also have to hit the best pizza, wings or hot dog joints available...