Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Ryan Zimmerman’s Home Run The Difference In 1-0 Win

Jul 30, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) hits a solo home run against the Miami Marlins during the second inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Zimmerman’s Home Run Holds Up

Before returning to the lineup on Monday night, Ryan Zimmerman did not have a great rehab stint at double-A Harrisburg. The first baseman was working his way back from plantar fasciitis and went 1-for-15 in the five games he was in. It is only three games, but Zimmerman had a good series against Miami.

During this series, he went 4-for-11 with two doubles, a home run, a RBI, and a walk to raise his average from .209 to .216. Dan Haren, Miami’s starting pitcher, only gave up four hits in six innings, but Zimmerman had two of them. One of those hits left the park.

Leading off the top of the second, Zimmerman took the third straight cutter he saw from Haren and hit it off the Clevelander sign in left field for his sixth home run of the year. Zimmerman’s return to the Nats lineup is crucial because he provides protection for Bryce Harper and allows Harper to see more pitches to hit. That paid off for Harper in this series as he went 5-for-10 with two home runs, four RBI’s, a double, and four runs scored.

Zimmerman had his struggles in the early stages of the season, but it was clear that he was not himself with the foot injury bothering him. Now the 30-year-old first baseman heads to Citi Field, where he had a .313 batting average during the four games in late April-early May and had a .429 average there in 14 games last season. While different combinations in the number five spots filled it fine, it is clear that hitting Zimmerman behind Harper is the best thing for this offense.

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