Washington Nationals Defeat Philadelphia Phillies, 7-0
By Kenny DeJohn
Jun 3, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
With Ryan Zimmerman back in the lineup, the Washington Nationals got back to their hitting ways.
David Buchanan took the bump for the Philadelphia Phillies, but the rookie right-hander did not have a good day against the Nats. After two scoreless innings of work against Washington, Buchanan got touched up for three runs in the bottom of the third.
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Jayson Werth hit a ground-rule double that scored Danny Espinosa and Denard Span after the two safely reached base earlier in the inning. On the play, Anthony Rendon moved to third.
Adam LaRoche was next up. He grounded out to second base, but it wasn’t hit hard enough to prevent Rendon from scoring.
After a quiet fourth inning, the Nats were back at it again in the bottom of the fifth. Span started the inning with a bunt single in front of Buchanan. A few batters later, Zimmerman doubled to plate him.
Buchanan escaped the inning without allowing any more damage, but the Nats were not finished against him. The bottom of the sixth saw the home team put up another three-spot, this time by way of the long ball. Ian Desmond cranked his 11th of the year, and Rendon followed him up with a two-run shot—his seventh—that also scored Span.
Buchanan was chased following the inning. He pitched six innings and allowed seven runs on 10 hits and two walks.
That would be it for the scoring for both teams, though.
All Jordan Zimmermann needed was one run on Tuesday, but the Nats lineup was generous enough to give him seven. Zimmermann worked eight strong innings before giving way to Tyler Clippard, who worked a scoreless ninth.
The big story was in left field, however, as Zimmerman returned from the DL to play outfield for the first time in his career. It didn’t impact his hitting, as he went 2-for-4 with the double and an RBI. He also looked like a regular out there in left.
The Nats will next be in action June 4 at 7:05 p.m. ET against the Phillies. Stephen Strasburg will take the hill looking for win No. 5. He will be opposed by A.J. Burnett.