Pitching propels Braves

VIERA, Fla. --- Tommy Hanson is having the type of spring the Atlanta Braves want to see out of him.

Hanson threw three hitless innings on Sunday, his second shutout appearance of the spring, to lead the Braves to a 5-0 victory over the Washington Nationals.

"I feel like I'm ahead of what I've been the last couple of springs, as far as how my body feels and how my arm feels," Hanson said. "I felt really good with my fastball. I felt really fast. I think the main thing for me is to find my fastball command and just get comfortable with hitters in there."

Hanson walked one. He has given up just two hits in five innings this spring.

The rest of Atlanta's pitching staff was equal to the task, holding the Nationals to two hits.

Cristhian Martinez and Jairo Asencio each threw two innings, while Jonny Venters and Arodys Vizcaino added one apiece.

"Martinez, every time we run him out there, puts up zeros. He runs zeros and his changeup is good," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Venters continues to impress. We've got kids in the back end that are really impressive the way they throw strikes. Asencio and Vizcaino come in and they pound the strike zone. Only good things can happen when you don't put anybody on base."

Chipper Jones had a double and scored for Atlanta. Jason Heyward got a hit, was hit by a pitch and walked. Wilkin Ramirez added a two-run single in the eighth for the Braves.

Bryce Harper, the No. 1 pick in last year's amateur draft, lined out in his only at-bat for the Nationals.