Ryan Zimmerman leads offensive attack again, Nats win 15-1

Jordan Zimmermann uncharacteristically issued walks to Nick Markakis and Freddie Freeman in the first before working out of the jam when A.J. Pierzynski lined to Anthony Rendon for an inning-ending double play.

Braves right-hander Matt Wisler paid for a two-out walk to Bryce Harper in the bottom of the frame. Ryan Zimmerman stepped to the plate to a standing ovation at Nationals Park and then smacked a double off the wall in right-center.

Clint Robinson delivered Harper to Zimmerman to the plate a line drive single over the outstretched glove of Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons.

ZImmermann's control problems carried over into the second when he walked Nick Swisher to start the inning. Swisher then advanced to second on a balk and third on a wild pitch before scoring on Hector Olivera's groundout.

The Nationals answered with three in the second. Back-to-back doubles from Ian Desmond and Wilson Ramos led to the first run. The RBI two-bagger for Ramos extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

Wisler then lost his command, giving up a single to Jayson Werth and hitting Anthony Rendon to load the bases. With Harper at the plate, it seemed like Wisler wanted no part of the slugger, walking in a run.

Zimmerman followed with an RBI sacrifice fly and then another walk to Robinson ended Wisler's night after 59 pitches.

Yunel Escobar greeted right-hander Sugar Ray Marimon with a two-run as the Nats scored five times in the second.

The Nationals combined five singles and a walk to score three more times in the third.

Zimmerman is 2-for-2 with three RBIs. Harper has three walks and three runs scored.

Update: Harper walked for the fourth time in the fifth, tying a career high. Moments later, Zimmerman ripped another double down the left field line, scoring Harper all the way from first.

Zimmerman later tagged and raced home on a sacrifice fly from Ramos.

Update II: Zimmermann allowed one run on two hits with four walks and five strikeouts over six innings.

The Nats tacked on two more runs in the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Robinson and an RBI single from Escobar.

Update III: Danny Espinosa drilled his 13th homer of the year in the eighth.

The Nationals beat the Braves 15-1.