Zimmermann tries to string back-to-back wins together
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - Washington Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann eyes a second straight winning start on Monday evening in the opener of a three- game set with the visiting Miami Marlins.
Zimmermann won for the first time since April 8 with Wednesday's 13-4 rout in Atlanta. Zimmermann did his part by holding the Braves to four runs -- three earned -- over seven innings while striking out a season-high seven and adding a three-run hit. That improved him to 2-2 on the year with a 4.88 earned run average.
In 18 career starts against the Marlins -- the second most he has made against any one club -- Zimmermann is 7-3 with a 3.34 ERA.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Washington has rebounded from a recent six-game slide by winning five of their last six, including back-to-back 1-0 decisions over the New York Mets. Doug Fister got Sunday's shutout started by working into the seventh inning and allowing just five hits without a walk.
"Our pitching was fantastic the last two days and the first game we scored a bunch of runs," said Nationals manager Matt Williams. "It doesn't matter how we get it done as long as we get it done. It was nice to come in here against a first-place club and play well."
Ryan Zimmerman drove in the game's lone run with an RBI single in the first inning. He also was robbed of a home run in the fourth on a leaping catch by New York's Michael Cuddyer.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Marlins, meanwhile, aim to rebound from a 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday that halted a four-game win streak.
Giancarlo Stanton and Jhonatan Solano each knocked in a run for the Marlins, who suffered only their second loss in the last 11 games, but it was one that knocked Miami back under .500 by one game at 12-13.
Miami starter Jarred Cosart gave up three runs on five hits and struck out six in five-plus innings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"For me, the game came down to that sixth inning," said Marlins manager Mike Redmond, referring to the Phillies' go-ahead, two-run frame.
David Phelps has been a solid addition to the Marlins' rotation and will make his fourth start of the campaign tonight.
After opening with a pair of relief appearances, Phelps made a start on April 17 versus the New York Mets and allowed a run over 4 2/3 innings of a no- decision. He then beat Philadelphia six days later with seven scoreless frames and was in line to beat the Mets in a rematch on Tuesday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The right-hander yielded only two runs on seven hits over six-plus innings, striking out four without a walk. However, Miami could not hold a lead before eventually winning 4-3.
Phelps, who has a 3.38 earned run average on the season, will face Washington for the first time.
The Marlins outscored the Nationals 17-4 in sweeping a three-game set in Miami from April 24-26, but lost six of nine last season in Washington.