Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Jordan Zimmermann Stumbles As Nats Struggles Continue

Jun 12, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez (16) hits a two RBI double during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

If the Washington Nationals (31-30) haven’t hit rock bottom yet, they are definitely getting there. Last night, Jordan Zimmermann, one of the more consistent starters in the rotation, couldn’t get out of the fourth inning as the Brewers (24-38) got ahead early and did not look back in a 8-3 victory. Now, the Nats have to work really hard to try to salvage a split in this series. With the Mets winning last night in Atlanta, the Nationals are now 1.5 games behind New York in the NL East.

More from Nationals News

• Latest DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code in Maryland: Bet $5, Win $200 Guaranteed
• Nationals Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers
• Washington Nationals Tuesday Q&A
• A Washington Nationals Christmas Wishlist
• Robots in Baseball? The Possibility of an Automated Ball/Strike System in the MLB

Even in a loss, Bryce Harper continued his great offensive season. In the second inning, he hit a solo home run to right field for his 21^st home run of the season. However, other than Harper, the Nationals had trouble hitting Mike Fiers, Milwaukee’s starter, for most of the night. Fiers went seven innings, gave up three runs on five hits, struck out eight, and walked three in the victory.

Right from the beginning of the game, the Nats defense made a costly mistake where Ian Desmond bobbled a potential double play, which turned a quick inning into two runs and 31 pitches from Jordan Zimmermann. Plus, Zimmermann has not been himself over his last two starts.

The Nationals did get some good news on Friday involving both of their injured starting pitchers. Doug Fister made a rehab start down in double-A for Harrisburg. He went six innings, gave up no runs on two hits, and struck out four on 70 pitches. It looks likes Fister is ready to come back to the rotation. Plus, Stephen Strasburg to some work in at Miller Park as he works his way back to the rotation:

Before Joe Ross makes his second start this afternoon, let’s take a look at some of my takeaways from last night’s loss:

Next: Time To Be Concerned About Jordan Zimmermann?

Jun 12, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

  Jordan Zimmermann’s Struggles A Cause For Concern

After a great stretch of quality starts for the number two starter in the Nationals rotation, Jordan Zimmerman has had two bad starts in a row. After giving up four runs over five innings against the Cubs last Sunday, the 29-year-old right-hander gave up six runs on nine hits in 3.1 innings, striking out four, and walking one in the loss. In the first inning, Zimmermann had his only walk of the night with one out to Gerardo Parra.

On the next batter, Ryan Braun hit a groundball to short that looked like it was going to be a double play. Ian Desmond bobbled the ball and was not able to turn two. While it didn’t go as an error officially, it was a mistake that ended up costing the Nats. Desmond, at the plate, went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts last night.

After an Adam Lind single, Aramis Ramirez had the first of two RBI doubles as the line drive to left field gave Milwaukee a 2-0 lead. Plus, it made Zimmermann work more than he had to, which was a common theme in the month of April for this team. Zimmermann had a good second inning, but started the third giving up back-to-back singles to Parra and Braun. While Parra bailed him out by getting picked off at second, Ramirez was able to get another RBI double to put the Brewers up 3-1 at the time.

Then, in the fourth, Milwaukee tacked on two more runs. Jean Segura and Scooter Gennett had back-to-back singles. Two batters later, Jonathan Lucroy got the job done with a two-run single to left, which ended Zimmermann’s night.

His fastball was still at 93-94 miles per hour for most of the night, but he was leaving a lot of pitches up in the zone. In addition, Zimmermann hasn’t shown pinpoint control this year like he did in 2014. His 18 walks this season are only 11 less than he had in 32 starts last year. He has walked a batter in each of his last seven games.

Zimmermann’s short outing continued a bigger problem for the Nationals and that is their starters not going deep into games consistently. During the game, Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington gave an interesting stat about the Nats’ rotation struggles:

While the bullpen has been a big issue for the Nationals, the starting rotation has not lived up to the preseason hype due to injuries and inconsistent. More than ever, the Nationals need Max Scherzer and Jordan Zimmermann to have their A games every night with the way the offense has underperformed.

Next: Harper Keeps Nats In Game Early

Jun 12, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) scores a run during the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Harper Helps Offense In Early Stages

Even though Jordan Zimmermann did not get off to a great start in the early stages of the game, Bryce Harper did everything he could to try to keep the Nationals in the game. It started in the second inning when Harper took a 1-2 fastball from Fiers and hit it barely over the right field wall for his 21^st home run of the season and his second in the last four games to cut the deficit to 2-1.

One inning later, after Milwaukee extended the lead to 3-1, Harper stepped up to the plate with Anthony Rendon on second and one out. This time, Fiers left a changeup over the plate in a 1-0 count and Harper lined it to right field for a base hit and another RBI.

While Harper was outshined by Aramis Ramirez and his three double, five RBI performance, this game showed how the Nationals offense has been recently. Usually, Harper is at the plate with nobody on and his long home runs only amount to one run on the scoreboard. You have to wonder where this Nats team would be without Harper right now.

However, just like the bunt issue on Tuesday, Harper tried to do a little too much in last night’s game. During the fourth inning, Gennett lined a single to right field. On the play, Harper threw the ball home to try to get Segura, but the Brewers shortstop was stopped at third. Since Harper airmailed the cut-off man, Gennett went to second and would eventually score on the Lucroy single.

While Harper might do a little bit too much at times, you have to give him credit for trying to make a play. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth in a 8-3 game, Harper scored all the way from first on a RBI double by Wilson Ramos to cut the lead to 8-4. Again, it has to be said, where is this team without Harper?

Next: Carpenter Makes Nats Debut