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Zimmerman, Nationals too strong for Braves

Apr 30, 2008 - 3:26 AM By Todd K. Jacobson PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - Ryan Zimmerman picked the right time to break out of a prolonged power slump.

Zimmerman hit his first home run since April 2 in the third inning and then belted a two-run double in the seventh to power the Washington Nationals to a 6-3 triumph over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday.

His two-run double off Braves reliever Blaine Boyer sparked a four-run, seventh-inning outburst and ended his own 2-for-31 skid with runners in scoring position.

"It was definitely nice," Zimmerman said. "I don't pay attention to things like that, but you notice you have a lot of chances to drive runs in and it's more like you feel you're letting the team down than personal.

"To do that and be able to put us ahead and just get us a big win just makes me more happier than anything."

Zimmerman, who was 3-for-4 with three RBI, entered the game batting .222 with 10 RBI, and he had just two extra-base hits in his last 14 games.

"He has handled everything tremendously for a kid his age," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "We need a guy like him to do that for us. That's what we've been needing. He knows that he has to carry us once in a while."

Lastings Milledge added another two-run double in the seventh inning for Washington, which has won four of its last five games.

Chipper Jones belted his eighth homer of the season for Atlanta, which has dropped five of seven following a five-game winning streak.

"This is about the seventh or eighth game (that) you're about to pull your hair out after the game," Jones said. "We're not swinging the bats well. We're not executing on offense. Close games, (but) we're not making the big pitch when we need to."

Reliever Saul Rivera (2-1) allowed one hit in one inning of work to pick up the victory.

Closer Jon Rauch earned his fifth save of the season by recording the final two outs - one by strikeout - in relief of righthander Chad Cordero.

Cordero, who has battled shoulder problems all season, had thrown 13 pitches and allowed two hits in the top of the ninth inning before wincing after a pitch to Kelly Johnson.

With Cordero pointing to a spot behind his right shoulder, Washington's trainers rushed to the mound. He was quickly removed him from the game and will have an MRI Wednesday.

"Hopefully it's nothing torn back there," Cordero said. "Hopefully it's just a strain. Hopefully it won't take too long - hopefully three weeks or so, four weeks or so. But I'm not going to try to rush back. I'm going to make sure everything is right."

Zimmerman's clutch hit helped erase a solid outing by Braves lefthander Tom Glavine. The 42-year-old veteran, whose first trip to the disabled list in his 22-year career ended earlier in the day, allowed two runs and six hits in six innings but did not factor in the decision.

Nationals starter Tim Redding matched Glavine, giving up two runs and four hits with two walks in six innings.

Redding, however, continued to struggle against Jones, who is now 7-for-9 against the righthander with two home runs and six RBI.

"If I get a ball or a bat or a jersey over to him, I'm going to ask him to sign it, 'P.S. I own you,'" Redding said.