Spring of the Tigers: Tigers Drop Close Game to Washington Nationals

Edwin Jackson pitched two scoreless innings in his preseason debut as the Detroit Tigers (1-1) lost a close one to the Washington Nationals (1-1) by a score of 2-1.

In his first appearance since being traded to the Tigers for Matt Joyce back in December, Jackson looked strong for his two scheduled innings. He struck out three and walked one, allowing no hits and no runs.

Adam Everett and Clete Thomas had the two Tiger hits of the afternoon, but the story at the Nationals facility in Viera, Fla. was not the Tiger hitting, but rather the pitching.

Rick Porcello, perceived by many to be Detroit’s new golden boy, looked shaky as he gave up a run off of two hits, though he did notch two strikeouts while at work in the fifth inning.

Joel Zumaya looked decent, allowing two baserunners in a scoreless sixth inning. Clay Rapada and Macay McBride both pitched scoreless innings to finish off the day for the Tigers.

The scoring started in the bottom of the third when Wil Nieves cracked a double off of Nate Robertson, allowing Pete Orr to score on the play. Robertson gave up two hits, including the RBI double by Nieves, in two innings of work.

In the top of the fifth, the Tigers tied the game at one run a piece when Ryan Raburn scored off a Clete Thomas single off of Mike O’Connor.

O’Connor was credited with the win when the Nationals scored their second, and final, run of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Orr then scored again, this time off of a Chris Marrero double, and that was enough for the Nationals to win the ballgame.

Edwin Jackson and Joel Zumaya left the Tigers with something to talk about. Jackson appears to be locked into the fourth spot in the starting rotation, while Zumaya appears healthy and ready to resume his role as a late-inning reliever for the Tigers.

Rick Porcello and Nate Robertson, considered two of the candidates for the fifth and final starting spot, didn’t do much to improve their standing with manager Jim Leyland.

It was a surprising day, as the potent Tiger batting order was held to just two hits, striking out eight times. Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordonez, and Miguel Cabrera all were hitless in the game. Guillen has now gone two games without a hit, as he went 0-for-3 against the Braves on Wednesday.

Collin Balester, Jordan Zimmerman, Terrell Young, former Tiger Wil Ledezma, and Jesus Colome all pitched scoreless baseball for the Nationals. Only Mike O’Connor (1-0) gave up a run, but he did strike out two batters and recorded the win. Colome was credited with the save while Rick Porcello (0-1) picked up the loss.