Ryan Zimmerman Keeps the Hitting Streak Alive with a Blast

Zimmy came into Thursday’s game versus the Cardinals on an 18-game hit streak, and he managed to extend it to 19 with a first-inning home run off of Mitch Boggs. Now that he is finally healthy again he has resumed his rightful place as offensive MVP of the Washington Nationals.

Who would have thought that the two most valuable “Natinals” would both be named Zimmerman.

The two run blast wasn’t enough, as the Nationals still fell to St. Louis 9-4.

Usually when players go on hitting streaks their batting average soars. Most hitting streaks create batting averages over .350 during the streak and it is quite common to see .400 over the streak (Chipper Jones actually batted .512 in his 20-game streak in 2006).

Ryan only has 25 hits in his 19-game streak, giving him a batting average of .309 in the span.

Since 2000, every hit streak of 20 games or more has resulted in a higher average than Zimmerman’s .309.

Miguel Tejada (24 games) and Placido Polanco (20 games) both batted .333 during their hit streaks, but the prize for lowest average in a 20+ hit streak (in the last 10 years) belongs to Casey Blake. His 26 game streak in 2007 produced only a .317 average.

Thanks to David Branson of FCB for pointing this out, and tossing in the comparisons.

Zimmerman extends hitting streak with 2-run jack[Pete McElroy / MASN]