Jackson minimizing damage early (Nats win 2-1)

SAN DIEGO - Despite putting himself into several jams, Edwin Jackson has managed to minimize the damage so far in tonight's start at Petco Park.

Jackson, on the mound for the Nationals in their series opener against the Padres, has surrendered five hits - including three doubles - through four innings, but has allowed only one run to cross the plate.

Jackson pitched around a leadoff double to Wil Myers in the bottom of the second, and completed that inning having thrown only 17 total pitches in the game. The right-hander had to work much harder in the bottom of the third, with Manuel Margot's one-out double setting up José Pirela's two-out RBI single during what became a 24-pitch frame.

Jackson bounced back in the fourth, though, retiring the side on nine pitches and keeping the game knotted at 1-1.

The Nationals have given themselves plenty of chances early against Jhoulys Chacin, as well, but likewise have managed to push across only one run against the San Diego right-hander.

The Nats had two men on with nobody out in the first but squandered the opportunity when Daniel Murphy grounded into a double play and Ryan Zimmerman struck out. They had two men on in the second as well, stranding both.

The Nationals broke through in the third after Howie Kendrick led off with a double off the left field wall, igniting a rally in which they loaded the bases with one out. But Adam Lind's drive to deep left was caught at the warning track, allowing only Kendrick to score on the sacrifice fly, and after Anthony Rendon was hit by a pitch, Matt Wieters grounded out to end that inning.

Update: It's still 1-1 after six innings, thanks to some deft work by Jackson even when he gets into trouble. The right-hander has allwoed eight hits tonight, but he has limited the damage. And because the Padres have been aggressive at the plate, he has only thrown 70 pitches. His teammates can't provide him a lead, though, with that third-inning run still serving as their only one on the board.

Update II: Something had to give eventually, and that something was Padres reliever Kirby Yates, who grooved a pitch to Zimmerman with two outs in the eighth and watched as it was launched to right field for a solo homer. Zimmerman's 29th of the year has given the Nats a 2-1 lead, has put Jackson in line for the win and has left this game in the hands of the Nationals bullpen. Brandon Kintzler takes over in the bottom of the eighth.

Update III: That'll do it. Nats win 2-1 thanks to seven strong innings from Jackson, Zimmerman's go-ahead homer in the eighth and then two more zeroes from Kintzler and Sean Doolittle, who picked up his ninth save in as many opportunities. A good way to get this road trip started, with a late-night, one-run win in San Diego.