WASHINGTON — Pitching in what could have been his last home game as a member of the Washington Nationals, starter Jordan Zimmermann earned the loss as the Philadelphia Phillies got a hold of him early and often Friday night.
Zimmermann, 29, surrendered six earned runs and struck out six in five innings as the Nationals lost 8-2. He drops to 13-9 for the season with an ERA of 3.68.
Zimmermann allowed three home runs Friday night, including two by Aaron Altherr. The first Altherr home run was an inside-the-park grand slam to center field in the third inning.
The loss dropped Washington to 8.5 games behind the New York Mets.
The Nationals drafted the right-hander in 2007 and he made his debut on April 20, 2009. He has been perhaps the team’s best pitcher since the franchise moved to the District, and he will always hold a place in fans’ hearts after throwing the Nationals’ first-ever no-hitter on the final game of the 2014 season.
Zimmermann is a free agent at the end of the season after rejecting a long-term offer by the team.
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Zimmermann will likely pitch at least once more this season, as the Nationals still have nine games left in the season, but it will be on the road. Washington plays its final home game of the 2015 season on Monday in a rain makeup against the Cincinnati Reds.
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