Zimmermann aims to find winning ways (with lineups)

By Josh Land

Nationals

June 24, 2015, 10:44am

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Jordan Zimmermann takes the mound in the midst of a personal three-game losing streak. Over the uncharacteristic stretch, Zimmermann has been tagged for 13 runs in 15 1/3 innings (7.86 ERA) and opponents have batted .386 against him.

The 29-year-old right-hander is 5-2 with a 3.15 ERA in 12 career starts against Atlanta. The Nationals have won both of Zimmermann's outings versus the Braves this season.

Ian Desmond returns to the Nationals lineup this evening. He continues to struggle through June, hitting just .143/.167/.200 with one homer and three RBIs.

Meanwhile, Denard Span has been hot over his past nine games. The 31-year-old veteran is 13-for-36 (.361) with one double, two RBIs, five walks, four stolen bases and eight runs scored.

After a slow start to the month, the Nationals have posted double-digit hit efforts in seven of their last ten games dating back to June 13. Their 112 hits over that stretch lead the National League and their .318 team average leads all of Major League Baseball.

For the Braves:

2B Jace Peterson
CF Cameron Maybin
RF Nick Markakis
C A.J. Pierzynski
1B Joey Terdoslavich
3B Kelly Johnson
SS Andrelton Simmons
LF Eury Perez
RHP Shelby Miller

For the Nationals:

CF Denard Span
2B Anthony Rendon
3B Yunel Escobar
RF Bryce Harper
C Wilson Ramos
1B Clint Robinson
SS Ian Desmond
LF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Jordan Zimmermann