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Zimmerman lifts Nationals past Cardinals

Aug 4, 2007 - 5:08 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Ryan Zimmerman came through with a single in the ninth inning to lead the Washington Nationals to a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

With one out and runners on first and second, Zimmerman lined a single to left field off Ryan Franklin (4-1) that scored Felipe Lopez and gave the Nationals their first four-game winning streak since May 22-25.

"I guess it's pretty easy to get excited and swing at a pitch you don't want to or maybe swing at a pitch you can't do anything with," Zimmerman said.

It was Zimmerman's fifth game-winning hit in the past two years - tying him with Minnesota's Justin Morneau for most in the major leagues.

"He's done some pretty dramatic stuff since he's been here," Washington manager Manny Acta said.

Chad Cordero (2-2) allowed a hit and struck out two in the ninth to pick up the win.

Despite the loss, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is definitely an admirer of Zimmerman's.

"He's definitely a winning player. A very exciting young guy," La Russa said.

Zimmerman's counterpart, Scott Rolen, found it hard to believe that he's just a second year player.

"He's turning a lot of heads. He's a great player," Rolen said. "Up-and-coming doesn't exist anymore."

St. Louis tied the game at 2-2 in the eighth. Juan Encarnacion singled off Jon Rauch and Adam Kennedy and Yadier Molina followed with base hits. Molina's single drove in Encarnacion.

The Cardinals, who have lost three straight, scored a run in the second off Tim Redding when Adam Kennedy walked with two outs.

Molina singled and Kip Wells singled to center to score Kennedy.

La Russa is frustrated that the Cardinals, who have lost three straight, are failing to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. They left 12 runners on base Friday night.

"We have a good offense and we should be doing more," La Russa said.

Washington tied the score in the fifth. Brian Schneider led off with a base hit and after Nook Logan struck out, Redding hit into a force out trying to sacrifice. Redding later scored on Lopez's double to left.

The Nationals took a 2-1 lead in the seventh, when Ronnie Belliard flied to right to score pinch runner Ryan Langerhans, who was running for Schneider.