Nationals game blog: Jordan Zimmermann looks for momentum in stretch run

By Josh Land

Nationals

September 14, 2015, 2:52pm

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PHILADELPHIA - Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann heads to the mound tonight looking to collect his 13th win of the season. The Phillies are the lone National League team that Zimmermann has a losing record against, coming in at 6-7 with a 3.43 ERA in 15 career starts.

Zimmermann has allowed just three runs over his last three outings, going 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA while striking out 15 over 18 2/3 innings.

After batting .314 with six homers and 18 RBIs in August, Ian Desmond's bat has cooled down once again. Over 12 games this month, Desmond is hitting .227 (10-for-44) with no home runs and two RBIs.

Yunel Escobar's 2-for-4 performance on Friday night gave the Nationals third baseman his 44th multi-hit game of the season, tying him with Bryce Harper for the team lead. Escobar has also racked up two or more hits in four of his last five games.

Clint Robinson returns to the Nationals lineup after missing the series in Miami for the birth of his daughter. The 30-year-old rookie has been a great find for the Nationals, hitting .272 with seven home runs, 13 doubles and 31 RBIs ini 107 games in his first season with the organization.

The Nationals are just 31-41 away from D.C. this season. The Phillies own a 111-86 advantage over the Nationals since 2005. The Nats have won seven of the first 11 meetings between the two clubs this season.