Nationals 4, Reds 1: Edwin Jackson threw a complete game two-hitter and the Nationals improved to 7-2 for the first time since 1981, when they were known as the Montreal Expos.

Jackson (1-0) retired 22 of his last 23 batters and threw just 92 pitches to lead Washington to its fifth straight win.

Tied at one in the bottom of the third, Washington took the lead on Adam LaRoche’s two-run double off Homer Bailey (0-2), who gave up three runs over six innings.

Jackson, signed as a free agent during the off-season, threw 67 of his 92 pitches for strikes and walked just one with nine strikeouts in his fourth career complete game.

The Nationals added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh on Jayson Werth’s double to deep right field, scoring Danny Espinosa.

Nationals catcher Jesus Flores went 3-for-3 with a walk and is batting .600 (6-for-10) this season.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Miguel Cairo left the game with a strained left hamstring after doubling and scoring a run in the second inning. … Ryan Zimmerman made an impressive bare-handed grab of Zack Cozart’s high bouncer in the third inning and threw out Cozart in a close play at first. … Washington center fielder Rick Ankiel went 0-for-4 in his first game after starting the season on the disabled list with a left quadriceps injury.