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We've played three at Nationals Park, and after allowing a run in the first inning, Jordan Zimmermann has found a nice groove.
He's retired nine of the last 10 batters since Brian McCann's RBI single, and threw 43 pitches (29 strikes) through the first three innings.
The Nationals got their first run in the first inning after Jayson Werth walked, and promptly went to second on a wild pitch. He hesitated for just a second when Brian McCann went to the dirt to block Tim Hudson's pitch, and then he was gone. He's got fantastic instincts on the basepaths; Werth praised former Phillies (and Nationals) first-base coach Davey Lopes yesterday for the things he's learned about reading pitchers and taking extra bases. And when Adam LaRoche finally delivered a hit with a man in scoring position, the Nationals tied the game, albeit in odd fashion.
Werth collided with Chipper Jones on his way to third after LaRoche's single, and was thrown out easily at home. But home plate umpire Mike DiMuro awarded the Nationals the run on an obstruction call, and third-base coach Bo Porter deserves credit for sending Werth knowing he'd get the call if he was thrown out.
We're in the top of the fourth now, and the Nationals and Braves are tied at 1.
