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Who's the Ace of the Nationals this season. Not Stephen Strasburg, not Gio Gonzalez, but none other than the underappreciated Jordan Zimmermann has taken the ball every five days and commanded the strike zone. Zimmermann’s duel with Anibal Sanchez was pushed to Wednesday due to a Tuesday rain out; Zimm came into the game with a dreamy 5-1 record, 1.63 ERA, a minuscule 0.75 WHIP and two complete games under his belt already. He's been essential to the club, playing losing-streak stopper for the Nats twice in this young season.
Zimmermann stayed on track tonight against a potent Tigers offense. He pitched seven innings and posted a line of 7 HA, 2 BB, 7 K and only 1 ER on an RBI single by the best hitter in baseball, Miguel Cabrera.
The 6’2” Wisconsin native now owns a 6 – 1 record with a tidy 1.59 ERA and 0.82 WHIP. He leaves a bit to be desired in the strikeout category but he’s not a total slouch with 34 K in 51.0 IP. Continue to ride the ace of the Nation’s Capital as a fantasy horse in 2013. He has progressed well and is still just 26 years old.
Is A-Gonz A-Gone?
Adrian Gonzalez has been dealing with a neck strain(trapezius muscle) for the past few weeks. His production has been down and he’s essentially hit for no power this year. Gonzalez left the game early last night, not long after hitting a double and sliding for a foul ball. The Dodgers can ill afford any more injuries , but it seems very possible that Adrian may head to the DL after this latest flare up. Triple-A affiliate Albuquerque Isotopes houses a few options such as Scott Van Slyke who can play 1B. I would assume a move will be made in the next day or so with an off day on Thursday. Stay tuned.
NL Hot Shots:
- Paul Goldschmidt hit two bombs on Wednesday in LA. He has 4 HR in his last 3 games. Goldie is en fuego.
- Bryce Harper hit his 10th home run on the year, his first since April 27. Rafael Soriano got his 11th save in the victory over Detroit.
- Dan Uggla powered-up with two taters as well yesterday as the Braves toppled the Reds. Juan Francisco played the hero, however, breaking the game open with a grand slam off of reliever J.J. Hoover. Zack Cozart homered for the Reds in the game.
- Carlos Gomez went 4-for-4 in a losing effort against the Texas Rangers. Gomez is now the owner of a .386 average is showing why the Brewers signed him to a long term deal. He is finally playing up to his potential at the age of 27.
- Heath Bell notched his second save. I hope you nabbed him while you could, because J.J. Putz may be done for the year. If you have the patience to ride the ups and downs of a shaky closer, Heath Bell is your guy!
- Edward Mujica is still perfect in save opportunities nailing down his ninth last night.
- Roy Halladay’s shoulder test results were pretty optimistic, actually: he will have surgery to repair bone spurs and rotator cuff issues. He is expected to miss at least three months.
AL Hot Shots:
- Bud Norris held the Halos in check to the tune of one run over eight-plus innings. He dropped his ERA to 3.40 and is on a nice streak of allowing two or less runs in six of his last eight starts. Jose Veras saved the game for his fourth on the season. Josh Hamilton homered in the loss
- Allen Webster got shelled, allowing eight runs in 1.2 IP on Wednesday and was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.
- A.J. Pierzynski was placed on the DL with an oblique strain; Robinson Chirinos has been called up to back up Geovany Soto.
- Oswaldo Arcia broke out with a 4-for-5 effort Wednesday. He added an RBI and a run scored. Arcia is now hitting .300 as a rookie and may have solidified an everyday role for the Twins. Twins, Basil!
- Evan Longoria stayed hot with a homer and 3 RBI as the Rays overwhelmed the Blue Jays.
- Ricky Romero was awful again and has been sent down to further work on his game. He lasted one third of an inning.
- Jake Peavy allowed just one run to the Mets in 6.2 IP, and looked great in doing so.
- Edwin Encarnacion added a home run to his total; now with 10 on the year he looks poised to be a 30+ threat again.
- Josh Reddick is now on the DL due to the same wrist which caused him to miss time earlier this season.
- Curtis Granderson will begin a Triple-A rehab assignment Thursday and could be back around May 20.
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Follow Shawn on Twitter @CasKnowsRoto
