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Washington Nationals: Zimmerman Crushes Two Home Runs In Loss

By Chris Lacey

May 10, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) hits a two run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) hits a two run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Nationals received a breakout game from an unlikely source, but still lost 5-4 to the Detroit Tigers.

The Washington Nationals scored the first run of the game in the second inning when Danny Espinosa singled to right with the bases loaded to drive in Daniel Murphy. However, the lead would not last very long.

The Tigers got on the board in the top of the fourth against Joe Ross. After a Victor Martinez leadoff single, Nick Castellanos crushed a two-run home run to left for his second home run of the series and seventh of the season to put Detroit up 2-1. This was the first home run allowed by Ross in 2016, and it ended a streak of 48.1 innings in which he didn’t give up a home run.

In the following inning, Ryan Zimmerman smoked a two-run home run to left field in the fifth inning off Tigers’ starter Michael Fulmer to put the Nats back in front, 3-2. It was Zimmerman’s second home run of the season.

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Detroit responded in their half of the sixth, by scoring three runs and sending eight batters to the plate. James McCann tied game at three with a single to right field. Then, Andrew Romine grounded into a fielder’s choice to score another run. The Nats challenged if Anthony Gose had a legal slide into second base, but they lost the challenge.  Miguel Cabrera, who was pinch-hitting for Fulmer, would single to center to put Detroit up 5-3.

The Washngton Nationals brought in reliever Sammy Solis to start the seventh inning, and this ended the night for Joe Ross. Ross went six innings and yielded five runs on eight hits. The right-hander issued two walks, fanned four batters and surrendered a home run in the loss.

In the seventh, Zimmerman cut the Nats deficit to one when he crushed his second home run of the game to center field. This was the third home run of the season for him, and the 15th time that he’s had a multi-homer game in his career, according to Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post.

Next: Looking Back At Zimmermann's Legacy

The Washington Nationals had a chance to tie the game in the eighth inning, but Wilson Ramos was thrown out at home plate after Clint Robinson doubled to left center. In the ninth inning, with two men on and one out after an Anthony Rendon single and a Bryce Harper intentional walk, Zimmerman struck out and Murphy flew out against Tigers’ closer Francisco Rodriguez.

Next Game: The Washington Nationals (20-13) will have Max Scherzer on the hill (3-2, 4.60) and Jordan Zimmermann (5-1, 1.10 ERA) will the start for the Tigers (15-17) in the series finale tomorrow. You can watch the game on MASN at 7:05 ET.

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