A small measure of pay back for former Reds’ outfielder Jonny Gomes, who delivered a key two-run single and made a big defensive play as Washington dropped Cincinnati 3-1 before 19,508 at Nationals Park.
Gomes’ base hit with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth plated Michael Morse and Jayson Werth, who made a nice slide past Reds’ catcher Ryan Hanigan, extending the Nationals lead in the sixth to 3-0.
Gomes also made an outstanding running catch and then collided with the wall right at the left field foul pole to rob Joey Votto of extra bases and end the fifth.
Nationals catcher Jesus Flores took a 1-2 sinker from Reds’ starter Bronson Arroyo and deposited it over the left center field wall in the fifth inning to tally the first run of a pitchers’ duel. It was Flores’ first round tripper since May 8, 2009 at Arizona. Nats led, 1-0.
Zimmermann went 5 and 2/3 innings, allowing the Reds only six hits, no runs, two walks and one strikeout. He threw 102 pitches, 64 for strikes. He got into a little bit of jam in the sixth inning with two outs, Zimmermann yielding a walk to Drew Stubbs and a base hit to Ryan Hanigan.
On came reliever Ryan Mattheus, who struck out Paul Janish with a 93 mph fastball to preserve the one run lead.
The Reds’scored a run in the seventh off of Henry Rodriguez without the benefit of a hit. An error by Ian Desmond got Fred Lewis to first. A wild pitch and passed ball and Lewis was at third. Then, Brandon Phillips RBI grounder scored Lewis and the Nationals lead was trimmed to 3-1.
Rodriguez and Tyler Clippard each with two strikeouts. Drew Storen took on the ninth inning, allowed two hits, but managed save No. 33.
Note: Mattheus left the game with right shoulder tightness and is listed day-to-day.
