GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: SAN FRANCISCO (62-74) at WASHINGTON (59-77)

Zimmerman singles Nationals past Giants in the ninth

<h3>WASHINGTON 2, SAN FRANCISCO 1</h3>WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Even though the Washington Nationals arestruggling, Ryan Zimmerman has remained stellar in the clutch.

Zimmerman singled home the winning run with one out in the ninthinning as the Nationals edged the San Francisco Giants inSunday's rubber game of a weekend series.


It was just the second win in the last nine games for theNationals (60-77), who remained tied with the Florida Marlins(60-77) for last place in the National League East. Floridabeat Philadelphia, 7-6.


Despite those issues, the young Zimmerman has been a solidcontributor for Washington, collecting 22 home runs and 80 RBI.The 22-year-old third baseman has also been an outstandingclutch performer, driving in 16 game-winning runs.

In his most recent late-inning exploits, Zimmerman deposited hisonly hit of the game into right field to score Felipe Lopez,who ripped a one-out double off Brian Wilson (1-1).

Nationals closer Chad Cordero (3-3) worked around a double inthe ninth, striking out two batters, for the win.


After snapping their lengthy slump with a 4-1 victory Saturday,the Nationals took an early lead behind Nook Logan in the thirdinning.


Ronnie Belliard led off the third with a single and followingtwo straight outs, Logan ripped a drive to deep center fieldthat resulted in a standup triple.


It was the third triple of the season for the 27-year-old centerfielder, who entered the contest batting .438 (14-of-32) withrunners in scoring position and two outs.


That one run of support was not enough for Matt Chico, who gaveup the tying home run to Rich Aurilia on a 2-1 pitch leading offthe fifth.


It was the fifth home run of the season for Aurilia, who alsodoubled in the ninth before being stranded.


Sunday's game was the first start since August 17 for thelefthanded Chico, who was recalled from Class AAA Columbusfollowing Friday's opener. He finished with four hits and awalk allowed in seven innings.


San Francisco starter Barry Zito was just a little better thanChico, yielding a run and two hits in seven innings. He alsostruck out five against one walk.


It was the third straight strong outing for the lefthander thathas been squandered. Zito has not won since August 17 despiteallowing four runs and 11 hits over his last 22 frames.

Future Hall of Famer Barry Bonds did not start for the Giants,who have lost three of their last four games. The all-time homerun leader did pinch hit in the eighth, rolling over a bouncingground ball to first base with a runner at first base and noouts.

 

Zimmerman singles Nationals past Giants in the ninth

<h3>WASHINGTON 2, SAN FRANCISCO 1</h3>WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Even though the Washington Nationals arestruggling, Ryan Zimmerman has remained stellar in the clutch.

Zimmerman singled home the winning run with one out in the ninthinning as the Nationals edged the San Francisco Giants inSunday's rubber game of a weekend series.


It was just the second win in the last nine games for theNationals (60-77), who remained tied with the Florida Marlins(60-77) for last place in the National League East. Floridabeat Philadelphia, 7-6.


"To be honest with you, I would like to be the fourth place teamin East," Nationals manager Manny Acta said.


Despite those issues, the young Zimmerman has been a solidcontributor for Washington, collecting 22 home runs and 80 RBI.The 22-year-old third baseman has also been an outstandingclutch performer, driving in a NL-leading 16 game-winning runs.

Zimmerman is also tied with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim'sVladimir Guerrero for second in the majors in that category, onebehind the Boston Red Sox's Manny Ramirez.


"The key to coming up in those situations is too stay relaxed,"Zimmerman said.


In his most recent late-inning exploits, Zimmerman deposited hisonly hit of the game into right field to score Felipe Lopez,who ripped a one-out double off Brian Wilson (1-1).

"I was looking fastball all the way, but he threw a slider,"Zimmerman said. "I just threw my bat at the ball and was luckyto hit it to a good spot."


"He's the face of this franchise," Acta said. "We are lookingto him in the ninth all the time. He has shown he has a knackfor it. He doesn't panic. He's a gifted player."

Nationals closer Chad Cordero (3-3) worked around a double inthe ninth, striking out two batters, for the win.


"I can't explain it," Logan said. "Try not to think too muchabout it. I'm happy to contribute in clutch situations."

After snapping their lengthy slump with a 4-1 victory Saturday,the Nationals took an early lead behind Nook Logan in the thirdinning.


Ronnie Belliard led off the third with a single and followingtwo straight outs, Logan ripped a drive to deep center fieldthat resulted in a standup triple.


It was the third triple of the season for the 27-year-old centerfielder, who entered the contest batting .438 (14-of-32) withrunners in scoring position and two outs.


"I can't explain it," Logan said. "Try not to think too muchabout it. I'm happy to contribute in clutch situations."

That one run of support was not enough for Matt Chico, who gaveup the tying home run to Rich Aurilia on a 2-1 pitch leading offthe fifth.


It was the fifth home run of the season for Aurilia, who alsodoubled in the ninth before being stranded.


"It's always tough to lose with the pitching efforts we aregetting from the starters," Giants manger Bruce Bochy said."One run is not going to cut it."


Sunday's game was the first start since August 17 for thelefthanded Chico, who was recalled from Class AAA Columbusfollowing Friday's opener. He finished with four hits and awalk allowed in seven innings.


"I was just trying to throw first pitch strikes," Chico said."The D did a great job."


"Chico matched him (Zito) zero for zero," Acta said. "He threwseven good innings and he looked more under control."

San Francisco starter Barry Zito was just a little better thanChico, yielding a run and two hits in seven innings. He alsostruck out five against one walk.


"Zito was ready good. He used his changeup a lot and it madehis fastball even better," Zimmerman said. "He was tough."

It was the third straight strong outing for the lefthander thathas been squandered. Zito has not won since August 17 despiteallowing four runs and 11 hits over his last 22 frames.

"I feel more relaxed out there. I think the worst is behindme," Zito said. "It is just getting acclimated to the newsurroundings, unfortunately it took me four months to pullthrough. I expect these outings more consistently."

Future Hall of Famer Barry Bonds did not start for the Giants,who have lost three of their last four games. The all-time homerun leader did pinch hit in the eighth, rolling over a bouncingground ball to first base with a runner at first base and noouts.

 

Zimmerman singles Nationals past Giants in the ninth

<h3>WASHINGTON 2, SAN FRANCISCO 1</h3>WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Even though the Washington Nationals arestruggling, Ryan Zimmerman has remained stellar in the clutch.

Zimmerman singled home the winning run with one out in the ninthinning as the Nationals edged the San Francisco Giants inSunday's rubber game of a weekend series.


It was just the second win in the last nine games for theNationals (60-77), who remained tied with the Florida Marlins(60-77) for last place in the National League East. Floridabeat Philadelphia, 7-6.


"To be honest with you, I would like to be the fourth place teamin East," Nationals manager Manny Acta said.


Despite those issues, the young Zimmerman has been a solidcontributor for Washington, collecting 22 home runs and 80 RBI.The 22-year-old third baseman has also been an outstandingclutch performer, driving in a NL-leading 16 game-winning runs.

Zimmerman is also tied with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim'sVladimir Guerrero for second in the majors in that category, onebehind the Boston Red Sox's Manny Ramirez.


"The key to coming up in those situations is too stay relaxed,"Zimmerman said.


In his most recent late-inning exploits, Zimmerman deposited hisonly hit of the game into right field to score Felipe Lopez,who ripped a one-out double off Brian Wilson (1-1).

"I was looking fastball all the way, but he threw a slider,"Zimmerman said. "I just threw my bat at the ball and was luckyto hit it to a good spot."


"He's the face of this franchise," Acta said. "We are lookingto him in the ninth all the time. He has shown he has a knackfor it. He doesn't panic. He's a gifted player."

Nationals closer Chad Cordero (3-3) worked around a double inthe ninth, striking out two batters, for the win.


After snapping their lengthy slump with a 4-1 victory Saturday,the Nationals took an early lead behind Nook Logan in the thirdinning.


Ronnie Belliard led off the third with a single and followingtwo straight outs, Logan ripped a drive to deep center fieldthat resulted in a standup triple.


It was the third triple of the season for the 27-year-old centerfielder, who entered the contest batting .438 (14-of-32) withrunners in scoring position and two outs.


"I can't explain it," Logan said. "Try not to think too muchabout it. I'm happy to contribute in clutch situations."

That one run of support was not enough for Matt Chico, who gaveup the tying home run to Rich Aurilia on a 2-1 pitch leading offthe fifth.


It was the fifth home run of the season for Aurilia, who alsodoubled in the ninth before being stranded.


"It's always tough to lose with the pitching efforts we aregetting from the starters," Giants manger Bruce Bochy said."One run is not going to cut it."


Sunday's game was the first start since August 17 for thelefthanded Chico, who was recalled from Class AAA Columbusfollowing Friday's opener. He finished with four hits and awalk allowed in seven innings.


"I was just trying to throw first pitch strikes," Chico said."The D did a great job."


"Chico matched him (Zito) zero for zero," Acta said. "He threwseven good innings and he looked more under control."

San Francisco starter Barry Zito was just a little better thanChico, yielding a run and two hits in seven innings. He alsostruck out five against one walk.


"Zito was ready good. He used his changeup a lot and it madehis fastball even better," Zimmerman said. "He was tough."

It was the third straight strong outing for the lefthander thathas been squandered. Zito has not won since August 17 despiteallowing four runs and 11 hits over his last 22 frames.

"I feel more relaxed out there. I think the worst is behindme," Zito said. "It is just getting acclimated to the newsurroundings, unfortunately it took me four months to pullthrough. I expect these outings more consistently."

Future Hall of Famer Barry Bonds did not start for the Giants,who have lost three of their last four games. The all-time homerun leader did pinch hit in the eighth, rolling over a bouncingground ball to first base with a runner at first base and noouts.