Sports

Zimmermann looks sharp, other pitchers more shaky as Nationals outlast Braves 16-15

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann throws in the first inning of a spring exhibition baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Viera, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (The Associated Press)

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran throws in the first inning of a spring exhibition baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Viera, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (The Associated Press)

Jordan Zimmermann breezed through two shutout innings with only 20 pitches for the Washington Nationals in what turned into a wild, 16-15 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.

Zimmermann, who tied for the NL lead with 19 wins last season, gave up one hit and struck out one in his brief appearance.

Atlanta and Washington combined for 31 runs on 37 hits, including 11 doubles. There were six errors, five by Washington, and a combined 14 walks.

Mike Fontenot drove in four runs and Tyler Moore had three RBIs for the Nationals.

Jordan Schafer went 3 for 3 and doubled twice for Atlanta. Matt Lipka had three hits and four RBIs. Braves starter Julio Teheran threw two scoreless innings.

The scoring came mostly in the middle innings. It was 2-all after the third, and 16-15 after the sixth.