Williams pitches Atlanta past Washington 2-0

Jordan Zimmermann (13-10), a fixture in the Nationals’ rotation since 2011, took the loss in what could be his final appearance for the team that drafted him in 2007. “His work with me is what has helped me get to this point and finish on a high note”. After posting a 4-1 record, 2.66 ERA and.

Perez, a 24-year-old from Venezuela, allowed six hits, walked three (one intentionally) and struck out three in a 92-pitch outing as he won his third straight decision after a six-game losing streak following a stint on the disabled list with a foot injury.

Add to it the fact the Braves have seen significant improvement from a couple of rookie starting pitchers during the uptick, and it’s understandable why the team’s more upbeat as this hard season winds down than they were two weeks ago.

“I wish we’d got the win tonight”, Zimmermann told reporters.

Zimmermann’s run in the Nationals’ rotation coincided with their rise to the level of legitimate contenders, though it’s ended with unrealized expectations if it’s his final season in Washington. For his part, Perez looked pretty good, eliciting ten grounders to just two fly balls and mostly avoiding bat barrels handily. Ironically, for those familiar with the Viz reference, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y6MUPkDufU no one but New York has beat him this season. Instead, he demanded accountability and provided the guidance that has proven beneficial as the Braves have allowed one run or less during each of their past five home games.

Atlanta Braves’ Andrelton Simmons (19) steals second base as…

Arodys Vizcaino pitched a ideal ninth inning for the Braves (64-94) and picked up his ninth save in 10 opportunities. “I admire him for that and respect him for the way he goes about it every fifth day”. They grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Nick Markakis’s two-out double and A.J. Pierzynski’s opposite-field RBI single, his fourth straight hit in two nights. This year didn’t go the way we wanted it to go, but we’re still battling, we’re still grinding.

The Nationals had runners in scoring position in four of the six innings Perez was on the mound, but he was able to keep them off the scoreboard each time.

“He’s caught over 100 games and hitting”.

Perez worked his way out of trouble all game. 3B Yunel Escobar missed the series opener with a sore upper back. Freeman said tests have indicated surgery is not necessary at this time. Roark lasted 6 2/3 innings, his longest start since June 16. He is 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA in five starts vs. the Braves this year. Insane. And each of the past four Braves home games have been 2-1 wins for the home nine.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Asdrubal Cabrera hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning, a one-out drive off Bryan Morris (5-4), to push the Rays to 12-6 in interleague play this season.