Nationals 0 - 4 Diamondbacks
Final
  for this game

Nats, D'Backs resume set in the desert

Jun 3, 2011 - 2:40 PM (Sports Network) - The Washington Nationals try to match their longest winning streak of the season this evening when they continue their four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Washington kicked off an 11-game road trip in winning fashion on Thursday, as Wilson Ramos drove in three runs and Jordan Zimmermann tossed seven solid innings in a 6-1 victory. Michael Morse went 4-for-5 with a pair of RBI and two runs scored for the Nationals, who have won three in a row.

Zimmermann (3-6) gave up one run on six hits to pick up his first win since May 1. The right-hander also struck out four and walked one for the Nats, who snapped a five-game road skid with the win.

"He's really finding his way," Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said of his 25- year old starter. "He's starting to establish himself as a guy who can pitch at the front end of a rotation."

Gerardo Parra drove in the lone run for the Diamondbacks, who have lost two of three since a seven-game winning streak.

Zach Duke (1-1) struggled, allowing four runs on 10 hits over five innings to suffer the loss. He also struck out six in his home debut.

"I wasn't able to command my fastball the way I wanted to and that caused me to get into hitter's counts," said Duke. "I threw a lot more pitches, and obviously damage was done."

Heading to the hill for the Nats tonight will be right-hander Yunesky Maya, who will be making his second start of the season. Maya did not get a decision on Sunday against San Diego, but was not sharp, as he allowed four runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings of his team's 5-4 loss.

"I always have to work on things after every start," Maya said through an interpreter. "I'm going to work on [my control]. It isn't there yet. I'm trying to hit my spots. I don't want to walk anybody."

Arizona, meanwhile, will counter with a young right-hander of its own in Josh Collmenter, who is 3-1 with a 1.49 ERA. Collmenter continued to impress on Sunday in Houston, as he allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 4-2 win. He also fanned a career- high five batters and has not walked more than two batters in a game all season.

Both starters will be facing their opponents for the first time tonight.

Washington won four of its seven meetings with the Diamondbacks a year ago.






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