WASHINGTON — Jordan Zimmermann made what could prove to be a his final start as a Washington National Wednesday evening.
Zimmermann allowed 2 earned runs on 6 hits with one strikeout and a walk over 6 innings in a 2-0 loss to Atlanta, but, for what the former second-round pick (2007) has meant for the franchise over the past seven seasons — an innings-eating workhorse who helped bridge the losing half of the Nationals’ first decade to the perennial division-contending reputation they have now — his presence could not possibly be overstated.
He pitched the first no-hitter in franchise history to close out a 96-win 2014 division-winning season for the Nationals. He carried that dominant pitching into the postseason, pitching 8.2 innings of 3-hit ball against the Giants in the 2014 NLDS, before being removed for Drew Storen (after allowing his first walk of the game with two outs).
A free agent after the season, the Nationals are unlikely to re-sign Zimmermann after inking Max Scherzer to a 7-year deal last offseason, and with other homegrown stars, Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, on track to hit free agency after the 2016 and 2018 seasons, respectively.
Zimmermann is the franchise leader in strikeouts (903) and WAR (19.9) for pitchers, and he’s tied with Livan Hernandez for the most wins in Nationals history (70). He’s also second among Nats pitchers in innings (1,094) and starts made (178).
Nationals radio announcer Dave Jageler handled Zimmermann’s final inning with caution and grace.
Bottom of the 6th (Beginning)
“Jordan Zimmermann back to work, bottom of the sixth inning; it’s the Braves leading the Nationals 2-0,” Jageler said on 106.7 The Fan. “And as we look at Zimmermann with 70 pitches through five innings, due to bat second trailing 2-0 when the Nationals come to bat in the top of the seventh, perhaps we are describing to you, our Nationals fans, his last inning. That’s, uh, kind of heavy and deep to think about that, as he has thrown over 1,000 innings, approaching 1,100 innings in a Nationals uniform.”
Bottom of the 6th (End)
“And as Jordan Zimmermann heads to the dugout, we will watch him and wonder if this is perhaps the last time we see him on the mound as a National.”
Top of the 7th
“And to the on-deck circle is Reed Johnson. And it looks like he will pinch-hit for Jordan Zimmermann, meaning Zimmermann is done for the season, and with free agency looming, we don’t know what his future will hold as far as whether he’s back with the Nationals.”
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