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Zimmerman's walkoff slam lifts Nats over Phils

Aug 20, 2011 - 6:06 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Ryan Zimmerman hit a game-winning grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, capping a wild comeback as Washington downed Philadelphia, 8-4, in the opener of a three-game series.

The Nats entered their final at-bat down 4-2 and facing Ryan Madson (3-2), but quickly went to work. Three straight singles, from Jayson Werth, Danny Espinosa and Jonny Gomes, made it a one-run contest.

Wilson Ramos laid down a sacrifice bunt to move runners to second and third, then pinch-hitter Jesus Ramos was given a free pass to load the bases. Ian Desmond singled home Espinosa to tie the game, and after Rick Ankiel fanned swinging, Zimmerman launched a 3-2 pitch into the left-field seats to cap the improbable rally.

"It's the ultimate when you're coming around third and your teammates are waiting [at home]," Zimmerman said of the game-winner. "Just for me to get an at-bat that inning...was pretty special."

Ramos added a solo homer for the Nationals, who have won two straight and four of six.

Todd Coffey (4-1) picked up the win after holding the Phils off the board in the top of the ninth.

John Mayberry, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz did the damage in a four-run third frame for the Phillies, who lost for the second time in four games but still maintained a healthy lead atop the NL East.

"It's very disappointing," a sullen Madson said. "To let the team down doesn't feel good."

Just four batters into the contest, the game was halted due to heavy rains. The delay lasted two hours, 22 minutes.

The Phillies were the first to hit the scoreboard after the deluge subsided, tallying four times in the third on Mayberry's RBI triple, an Utley run- scoring double and scoring hits from Howard and Ruiz.

All the runs came against Washington starter Livan Hernandez, who was left in despite the lengthy weather interruption, and was tagged for seven hits and four runs in four innings.

Roy Oswalt had been the scheduled starter for Philadelphia, but was pulled without having thrown a pitch due to the rain delay. Kyle Kendrick took the hill in the bottom of the first and was in line to earn the win after yielding five hits and two runs over six effective innings.

Ramos singled in the home third and scored on a Desmond double, then the Nats got within 4-2 on a one-out solo homer from Ramos in the fifth.

Brad Lidge and Antonio Bastardo each turned in a scoreless relief frame before the fireworks in the Washington ninth.

Game Notes

Zimmerman posted a season-high in RBI with the blast, eclipsing the three runs driven in on April 5 at Florida...His last four-RBI effort came last September 5 at Pittsburgh...It was Madson's second blown save of the season and first since June 9 against Chicago. His line ended up being five hits and six runs given up over two-thirds of an inning...Despite the loss, the Phils still hold an MLB-best 39-20 record in weekend games.