Two Nationals continued to struggle with arm injuries yesterday while one sat out and one fought through it. Ryan Zimmerman was again on the bench as the Nats opened up a three game series with the Padres. He’s continuing to rest a sore shoulder. Zimmerman maintained that if this game was played in September in the middle of a pennant race, he would be out there. However, right now, Zim, the Nats, and I’m sure most of the fans feel it’s best to let the shoulder heal without rushing it.
Shawn Hill, on the other hand, is a different story. He’s been battling injuries and pain for years now and had decided to fight through and continue to pitch. It’s obvious that Hill is tired of being forced into a spectator role and desperately wants to contribute to helping his team succeed. Hill’s had a rough night and had trouble getting into a rhythm. Despite throwing 54 balls in five innings, Hill gave up just 2 runs. In my mind, that’s not too bad for a guy who has barely been able to practice all season. Hill left the game in a 2-2 tie, but the bullpen just couldn’t hold the Padres. After Colome’s strong sixth inning, Charlie Manning came in to pitch the seventh. Manning recorded two quick outs before allowing a home run to Gonzalez. Hanrahan was then called to the mound and gave up another solo shot. It was all the offense the Padres would need to beat the Nats 4-2.
The one thing that does make Zimmerman’s time on the bench a little easier to swallow, is Aaron Boone’s current level of play. He’s been a versatile guy for the Nats by playing both first and third base and he’s hitting relatively well. Last night, Boone hit a homer in the first inning which also scored Guzman. Unfortunately that was the only scoring we would see from the boys all night.
Tonight Odalis Perez (1-4) will go for his second win of the season against Shawn Estes (1-0).
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