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The Nationals and Braves are tied at two in the top of the eighth inning, having given up a couple runs on a double-play groundout and a single in the fifth inning. Livan Hernandez, as he has most of the season, turned in a commendable outing. He overcame nine hits and some spotty defense to last seven innings, allowing just two runs. But they'll have to finish this one without Ryan Zimmerman and Jim Riggleman.
The third baseman was just ejected from the game after striking out on a foul tip to end the top of the eighth with Ian Desmond on first. Zimmerman spiked his bat and helmet off the dirt in front of home plate, and home plate umpire Scott Barry tossed Zimmerman from the game. Barry called a close pitch for strike two, causing Zimmerman to spin back on his walk to first base after he'd thought he drew ball four. But Zimmerman didn't say anything to Barry, and got thrown out immediately after throwing his equipment - not for the expletives he said afterward. His back was to Barry when he said them, and Barry had already thrown him out by that point.
Jim Riggleman was ejected, too, trying to intervene on Zimmerman's behalf, and first-base coach Dan Radison steered Zimmerman away from Barry while he was arguing the ejection. Zimmerman's ejection was the second in as many games for the Nationals, after Ivan Rodriguez was tossed for arguing balls and strikes in the first inning on Tuesday night.
It's 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth, and Alberto Gonzalez has replaced Zimmerman at third base. The Nationals will finish this one as their manager and franchise player watch it in the clubhouse - likely commiserating about their twin ejections.
