The Nationals waste another superb outing by Jordan Zimmermann and fall 1-0 to the Angels in Anaheim. The Angels lone run was set up off of a Ryan Zimmerman throwing error, his fourth since returning from the DL. Zimmermann went eight innings, gave up four hits, struck out four, gave up one walk and had one unearned run against him. Zimmerman is now 5-7 on the season.
The Nats bats had already taken off back to the East coast as they could only muster three hits and were struck out eight times, including six by Angels starter Dan Haren. Roger Bernadina went 0-4 and 0-16 for the series. Jayson Werth didn’t start the game, but did pinch hit and struck out dropping his average to .223 on the season.
The Nationals are 0-3 under Davey Johnson and fall one game under .500 (40-41) at the halfway mark of the season. The Nationals who started the series in Anaheim 3.5 games out of a wild card spot are now 5.5 games out. This was the first series in their past six that they loss and will have Thursday off to regroup as they head back home to host the Pirates on Friday.
Nationals utility man Jerry Hairston broke a small bone in his right wrist when he was hit by a pitch from Dan Haren in the fifth inning. Hairston hopes to play through the injury. Laynce Nix missed the game with a “sore Achilles” but hopes to return on Friday.
