MLB Roundup: Jordan Zimmerman Wins First Start

Andrew GodfreyApr 21, 2009

Jordan Zimmermann won his first major league start in the Washington Nationals' 3-2 defeat of the Atlanta Braves. He pitched well despite having to wait out a rain delay of two hours and 43 minutes. Zimmermann (1-0, 3.00) pitched his club to victory before. Unfortunately, in front a record-low crowd of 12,473. It was the lowest attendance since the Expos moved to Washington and switched nicknames.

The Auburndale, Wisconsin native allowed two runs in six innings, numbers especially impressive considering the delay.

His only mistake was giving up a two-run homer to Matt Diaz in the fourth inning, but Zimmerman recovered and pitched well the rest of the way.

Pirates Sink Marlins 8-0

The Pittsburgh Pirates won their third game in their last four by shutout as they defeated the Florida Marlins 8-0 in Pittsburgh.

Paul Maholm and Ian Snell had pitched the Pirates to shutout wins over the Braves last Friday and Saturday, but lost (in a shutout, ironically enough) on Sunday to the same team.

In the first game of the Florida home series, Ross Ohlendorf (1-2, 3.00) pitched seven scoreless innings while allowing two hits to take the win. Nate McLouth hit a three-run homer in the sixth to finish the scoring for the Pirates.

The win moved the Pirates to within a game of the idle Cubs and Cardinals in the NL Central. This was the first road loss for the Marlins after posting a 6-0 road record to start the season.

Red Sox Pummel Orioles 12-1

The first three hitters in the Red Sox batting order, who had previously not been hitting well, had a good day at the plate yesterday. Meanwhile, Boston's Justin Masterson recorded the win.

Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, and David Ortiz were 9-for-16 and drove in six runs in the 12-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles. The batting averages of all three were much higher after the game: Ellsbury went from .240 to .268, Pedroia from .235 to .281, and Ortiz from .170 to .196.

Reds Edge Astros 4-3

Bronson Arroyo (3-0, 4.19) became the third NL pitcher to start the season with a 3-0 record as the Cincinnati Reds edged the Houston Astros in Houston last night.

Arroyo, who had an excellent second half in 2008, may not be called the ace of the Reds starting rotation, but he'll be in the conversation with Aaron Harang and Edinson Volquez if he keeps up his current performance.

Arroyo gave up solo homers to Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee. On the other side, Mike Hampton left the game with the score tied, but Geoff Geary relieved him and allowed the winning run to score.

On a side note, Arroyo is also a singer. He recently did a memorial piece for Vietnam veterans, particularly significant for vets like me.

Diamondbacks Top Rockies 6-3

The Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the slumping Colorado Rockies by a score of 6-3, resulting in the Rockies' fourth loss in a row. Jon Garland (2-1, 5.71) took the win, while Jason Marquiz took the loss.

Garland allowed only one earned run in 6.1 innings and lowered his ERA to 5.71 after coming into the game with a 8.44 mark.

Miguel Montero hit a three-run homer to lead the offense for the Diamondbacks, and Mark Reynolds hit his third homer of the season.

A Look at Stats

Offense

Hits

Miguel Cabrera, Aaron Hill, Ian Kinsler, Kevin Youkilis: 23

Home Runs

Carlos Quentin: 7, Carlos Pena: 6

RBI

Andre Ethier, Nick Markakis: 16

Total Bases

Ian Kinsler: 44