SPORTS INSIDER – Nationals set for Battle of the Beltway; Jordan Zimmerman named to All-Star Team

All-Star Team
July 7, 2014
Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider

After falling to the Cubs 7-2 in the July 4th series opener, the Nationals (48-39) bounced back to win the series 2-1. While their bats may have been quiet on Independence Day, they came alive on Saturday when they shut out Chicago 13-0. Washington was truly firing on all cylinders: southpaw Gio Gonzalez allowed four hits and struck out seven over eight innings, while everyone in the starting line-up had at least one hit.

“Hitting is contagious,” said third basemen Ryan Zimmerman, who contributed four hits. “When everyone else is doing it, you want to jump in and do it.”

Zimmerman became the deciding factor in a close game on Sunday. With the game tied 1-1, Zimmerman’s single in the bottom of the eighth inning was enough for Denard Span to score and put Washington ahead 2-1. With just half an inning left, Rafael Soriano took the mound in the 9th and notched his 21st save of the season.

“A slider was what I hit,” Zimmerman said. “That was a game that we needed to win.”

Washington has now won seven of their last eight games, and next face the Baltimore Orioles in a Battle of the Beltway. After Sunday’s victory, they are now just a half-game behind the Braves in the NL East. The Orioles (48-40) have won six of their last seven games, including two straight against AL East rival Boston. Both teams are eager to improve their records before heading into the All-Star break.

The four game series will be split between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, and begins Monday night at Nationals Park.

All-Star Game

For the second year in a row, Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann has been named to the National League All-Star Team.

But unlike last year, when he was joined by teammate Bryce Harper, he will be traveling to the All-Star Game alone. Zimmermann, who is 6-4 with a 2.79 ERA in 18 starts this season, was the only Nationals player named to the team. This came to the surprise of many, who felt that others, such as infielder Anthony Rendon and closer Rafael Soriano, deserved a spot.

“Rafael Soriano, who has a 1.03 ERA and 21 saves, did not make the team,” Nationals beat reporter for The Washington Post Adam Kilgore tweeted. He added a quote from fellow Washington pitcher Tyler Clippard who said “It’s a joke.”

While Soriano will have to wait until next year to make the cut, Rendon still has a shot. He is on the National League Final Vote ballot, which will determine the final All-Star player in each league. Voting will be available at MLB.com through 4 p.m. ET this Thursday, July 10th.

So far this season, Rendon is hitting .282 with 12 HR, 50 RBI and 8 stolen bases.