Zimmermann, Nationals beat Padres 7-2

[April 26, 2012]  SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Jordan Zimmermann helped set a Washington record for the longest scoreless innings streak for starters before Orlando Hudson homered and the NL East-leading Nationals beat the San Diego Padres 7-2 on Wednesday in a matchup of the NL's best and worst teams.

Zimmermann held San Diego without a run for four innings to give Washington starters 26 straight scoreless frames. Hudson ended the streak when he homered to right with two outs in the fifth, his first, on a 1-1 pitch from Zimmermann. The old record was 24 innings in 2005.

The streak began Thursday with four scoreless innings by Edwin Jackson, followed by six scoreless innings each by Ross Detwiler, Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez.

Zimmermann (1-1) allowed one run and four hits in six innings, struck out six and walked none. It was his 29th straight start with two or fewer walks dating to his second start of 2011. Tom Gorzelanny pitched three innings in relief of Zimmermann for a save.

Adam LaRoche had three hits, two runs and an RBI for the Nationals (14-4), who won their fourth straight and are off to their best 18-game start since coming to Washington in 2005. They've won all six series this year and eight straight overall.

Zimmermann also hit an RBI single in the second, when the Nationals jumped ahead 2-0 on three hits and a walk against rookie Joe Wieland, who was making his third start. LaRoche hit a leadoff double down the right-field line and scored on Rick Ankiel's one-out double to right. With two outs, Zimmermann singled to center to bring in Ankiel.

The Nationals added four runs in the seventh on four hits and two walks against three relievers. LaRoche hit an RBI single, Jayson Werth drew a bases-loaded walk and Wilson Ramos had a two-run single.

Wieland (0-3) allowed two runs and five hits in six innings, struck out four and walked three.

NOTES: Nationals manager Davey Johnson said an MRI on 3B Ryan Zimmerman's right shoulder shows inflammation but no structural damage. Zimmerman missed his third straight start on Wednesday. Johnson says the plan is to have Zimmerman take some swings on Thursday to see how he feels. .. If there's no relief by Thursday, Zimmerman could be sent back to Washington for treatment. Johnson said Zimmerman had a cortisone shot on Saturday but it's possible the shot might not have had its full effect. ... Padres RHP Dustin Moseley had surgery on his right shoulder and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Moseley had extensive damage to his rotator cuff and labrum. He made just one start, against Los Angeles on April 7. He was placed on the disabled list the next day and an MRI exam revealed the damage. Moseley had season-ending surgery on his left shoulder in August after going 3-10 with a 3.30 ERA in 20 starts in his first season with San Diego. ... The series concludes Thursday night when RHP Edwin Jackson (1-1, 4.26) is scheduled to start for the Nationals against RHP Edinson Volquez (0-2, 4.30).

[Associated Press; By BERNIE WILSON]

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