The Washington Nationals were shutout for the 13th time this season in a 2-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Starter Jordan Zimmermann threw a season high 109 pitches, but made one mistake and it, with the help of a lacking offense, lead to the Nationals defeat.
Zimmermann battled for six scoreless innings before the seventh inning when he gave up a two-run bomb to Arizona's Sean Burroughs. He finished the night pitching six innings giving up two runs on five hits, walking five and striking out four. It is the sixth time in 2011 that Zimmermann has been tagged with the loss giving up two earned runs or less. Was this the righty's last start of the season? He is close to his 160 inning limit, but some believe he will have one more start before he is shutdown.
It was a poor performance by the Nationals offense who did little against Snakes pitcher Ian Kennedy and did little for Zimmermann. Several scoring opportunities presented themselves throughout the game, but the Nationals seemed unable to get runs across the plate and stranded 21 runners.
In the fourth inning the Nats and D-Backs traded HBP's and were warned by the umpire.
The Nationals are 62-65.