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Zimmermann pitches Nats past Reds

May 13, 2012 - 4:21 AM Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Jordan Zimmermann tossed seven solid innings while Danny Espinosa launched the go-ahead solo home run in the sixth, leading the Washington Nationals to a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the middle test of a three-game set.

Zimmermann (2-3) fanned nine and surrendered just a run on five hits and a walk for Washington, which has won three straight on the heels of a three-game losing skid.

"I think he has kind of got his swagger back out there," Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond said about Zimmermann.

Wilson Ramos added a solo shot, but left the game in the seventh inning with an apparent knee injury. The injury occurred as Ramos was tracking down a passed ball from Zimmermann. Ramos hurried to the ball, but as he went to pick it up, his knee buckled underneath him.

Mat Latos allowed a run on three hits and five walks in five innings for the Reds, who have lost three of their last four.

"You're trying to win ball games no matter how you win them. We're back to .500 now and you have to go back to work again," Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

Jose Arredondo (2-1) relieved Latos in the sixth and was immediately welcomed by Espinosa, who smacked a solo homer to right field, making it 2-1 in favor of Washington.

Tyler Clippard threw a scoreless eighth and Henry Rodriguez struck out the side in the ninth to notch his eighth save of the season.

The Reds struck first with a run in the opening frame. Zack Cozart singled to start it and Drew Stubbs reached on a fielder's choice. Cozart was also safe on the play and after Joey Votto grounded out to move the runners up a base, Brandon Phillips rolled one to the shortstop, plating Cozart.

Washington tied the score in the fifth when Ramos smacked a towering shot onto the grassy knoll in center field, but the visitor's could've plated a lot more.

Zimmermann walked and Desmond doubled to put runners on second and third with none out. But Latos pitched his way out of the jam.

Roger Bernadina and Ryan Zimmerman each lined out, both not far enough to allow Zimmermann to tag from third. Adam LaRoche was intentionally walked to bring up Bryce Harper, who slapped a ground ball up the middle. Phillips, though, ranged to his right and backhanded the ball before flipping behind his back to second for the out, ending the threat.

Game Notes

The Nationals were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base...Cincinnati was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left six runners on base...Espinosa stole two bags, giving him three for the year.