Zimermann Is The Mann

Nationals 2, Braves 0

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		2	3	0
Braves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	2	0

Ok, we are joking...sort of, but Jordan is en fuego.

A little over 2 weeks ago, Jordan Zimmermann pitched just his 2nd complete game of his career.  It was the first one where he picked up a win.  Then, just 5 days ago, Zimmermann pitched another complete game, this one a 1-hit shutout gem.  So on Wednesday night as Jordan completed the 8th inning, his 5th straight 1-2-3 inning (17 batters in a row) with only 2 hits up on the Braves scoreboard, fans were wondering if Davey would send Zim out to finish the job.

But after 107 pitches, Davey made the decision to give the ball to closer Rafael Soriano, and Zimmermann fell just one inning short of his 2nd straight complete game.

Jordan was on point all night long.  The umpire was even hosing him out of some strikes, but the look on the determined starter didn't change.  He made no expressions, just got the ball, and tossed it right back over the plate finishing with 8 strikeouts.

While Zimmermann was unstoppable, the Nats offense was once again not providing any assistance.  The Nats only got 3 hits off of the Braves starter Paul Maholm, and if not for one pitch to Ian Desmond which was knocked over the Turner Field fence driving home Bryce Harper, Jordan's game could have turned into a no-decision gem.

Notes:

• After showing some leadership and calling out his team (to them) Ian Desmond hit cleanup and knocked the huge homer.
• for the first time in his career.Danny Espinosa (batting .173) was replaced by Lombardozzi in the lineup and Adam LaRoche (batting .136) was subbed out for Tyler Moore.  The two comined 0-7.
• 2 of the games 5 hits were by the pitchers, one for Zim one for Maholm
• Bryce Harper left the game but it turned out to be a bruise from a previous game.  They will examine him and go day to day.