Zimmermann quiets D-backs in Nationals' 3-2 win

[June 27, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Jordan Zimmermann dominated after a shaky start and rookie Anthony Rendon had his third three-hit performance as the Washington Nationals defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 on Wednesday night.

The NL West-leading Diamondbacks have lost three straight, including the first two games of their current 10-game road trip.

Zimmermann (11-3) surrendered two runs in the first inning, but held the Diamondbacks scoreless with one hit over his final six innings. He allowed three hits overall, retired the final 10 batters he faced and improved to 13-0 at home dating back to May 17, 2012.

Wade Miley (4-7) allowed three runs, including an unearned run in the fifth. Denard Span scored on Ryan Zimmerman's double play after Tyler Moore's solo homer in the fourth tied the game.

Zimmermann struck out four and issued two walks. He began the game tied for the NL lead in wins with St. Louis teammates Lance Lynn and Adam Wainwright.

Arizona's only hit against Zimmermann after the first inning was Jason Kubel's two-out single in the fourth. Tyler Clippard worked the eighth and Rafael Soriano closed out the ninth for his 21st save.

Soriano allowed a one-out single and issued an intentional walk, but A.J. Pollock's popup ended the game.

Rendon had two singles and double in his first three at-bats before a flyout to the wall in the eighth inning. Since being recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on June 4, he has multihit performances in 10 of 18 games and is batting .392 (29 for 74).

Miley pitched seven innings, allowing seven hits and one walk while striking out four. Arizona' starting pitchers are 0-7 since June 5.

Span singled off Miley leading off the fifth, advanced to second on a passed ball, moved to third on Rendon's third hit and crossed home on Zimmerman's double play.

After picking up hits in his final three at-bats on Tuesday, Paul Goldschmidt doubled in his first plate appearance against Zimmermann, scoring Aaron Hill from first base. Martin Prado's two-out single plated Goldschmidt and staked Miley to a 2-0 lead in the first before the crowd of 31,172.

Zimmerman hit an RBI double in the bottom half. Washington's third baseman returned to the starting lineup after sitting out Tuesday's series opening win due to discomfort in his surgically repaired right shoulder.

NOTES: Playing in the second game of a rehab assignment at Single-A Potomac, Washington OF Bryce Harper went 1 for 3 with a home run. ... Miley was 0-2 in his last four starts. ... Zimmermann has made 20 starts since his last home loss. ... Arizona fell to 17-11 in one-run games. ... Moore played in his first game since being activated from the DL on Tuesday. ... Nationals manager Davey Johnson said he hopes injured catcher Wilson Ramos (left hamstring) can return to the active roster by July 4. Ramos has been on the DL since April 14. ... Arizona LHP Patrick Corbin (9-0, 2.28) faces RHP Stephen Strasburg (4-6, 2.40) in Thursday's series finale.

[Associated Press; By BENJAMIN STANDIG]

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