What to Watch for: 7/18

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New York Mets (46-44) vs. Washington Nationals (52-36)

RHP Chris Young (2-3, 4.26) vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann (6-6, 2.48)

The Nationals and Mets battled through an epic affair last night, with Washington prevailing, 5-4 in 10 innings. Jordan Zimmermann, who is 2-0 with a 0.95 ERA (2 ER/19.0 IP) in July takes the hill looking for his fourth consecutive win as the Nats look to take their third straight series over the Mets this season.

NATIONALS LINEUP

1. Lombardozzi 2B

2. Harper CF

3. Zimmerman 3B

4. LaRoche 1B

5. Morse RF

6. Moore LF

7. Espinosa SS

8. Flores C

9. Zimmermann RHP

WILD PITCH ENDS WILD NIGHT AT NATIONALS PARK

Pedro Beato’s wild pitch with two outs in the 10th plated the winning run as Washington edged NYM, 5-4, on Tuesday. The contest that featured four fruitful rallies and three blown saves in the game’s final two innings. After Jordany Valdespin hit a dramatic, three-run pinch-homer in the top of the ninth, Danny Espinosa sent the game to extra innings with a two-out, two-strike RBI-single. With the Nationals again trailing by a run, Bryce Harper’s RBI-triple in the 10th tied the game and set the stage for Beato’s decisive wild pitch.

HALF AND HALF

The Nationals rank second in the Major Leagues with a 1.80 ERA (6 ER/30.0 IP) from their starting staff since the All-Star break. Only the Giants (0.64) mark has been superior. Washington’s starting staff posted an MLB-best 3.25 ERA in the season’s first half.

ZIM’S AS HOT AS THE WEATHER

In 19 games dating to June 24, Ryan Zimmerman is batting .354 (eighth in NL in that span) with eight doubles (tied, second), 7 home runs (second), 21 RBI (first), 18 runs (third) and a 1.142 OPS (fourth).

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