Zimmermann satisfied, while Moore's bat scorches early (Nats win 9-8)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP

Score: Nationals 9, Braves 8

Recap: Tyler Moore was 2-for-3 with a triple, home run and five RBIs. He started the Nats scoring in the second with a two-run shot over the right field wall and then his bases-loaded triple in the fifth gave the road team a 7-4 advantage. Moore is now 4-for-5 through the first two games of the exhibition season with two doubles, a triple, a homer and six RBIs. Jordan Zimmermann was solid in his first start of the Grapefruit League season, giving up a walk and a bloop hit in two scoreless innings.

Need to know: Manager Matt Williams said before the game that second baseman Yunel Escobar was scheduled to see a doctor today regarding his sore back. Mike Carp was a late scratch for today's game after taking a pitch to his right foot last night causing swelling in his toes.

On deck: Saturday, vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 1:05 p.m. (MASN HD)
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The last time we saw Jordan Zimmermann in a game, he was leaving the mound with a with a one-run lead and two down in the top of the ninth inning in Game 2 of the National League Division Series.

Not so much drama surrounded Zimmermann's return to the hill this afternoon against the Braves for his first start of the exhibition season.

Zimmermann walked the first batter he faced and later gave up a bloop single in the otherwise uneventful outing, throwing 23 pitches.

"My gameplan coming in today was just to go fastball, changeup unless I got into some trouble then I would bring the curveball and slider out," Zimmermman said. "I figured I better throw a few curveballs, so last guy I just threw two curveballs to and got him to pop out. I'm not really setting guys up, just throwing my pitches and trying to get a feel for them."

Zimmermann said his fastball command wasn't there early, but he was mostly just happy to facing guys not wearing a Nationals jersey in a game situation. The right-hander has learned how to handle these abbreviated spring outings since he entered the majors.

"Early in my career, I was ready to go from my first outing; now, I'm just trying to build up and obviously not show these guys too much right away," said Zimmermann. "For the most part, I'm working to get to 100 percent and be ready for opening day."

Tyler Moore continues to swing a hot bat early this spring. In the second innning, Moore followed a Dan Uggla single with a two-run homer to right field, giving the Nats and early 2-0 lead over the Braves. Moore then hit a bases-loaded triple in the fifth pushing the Nats in front 7-4.

Moore, who played right field today after playing left last night, is now 4-for-5 through the first two games with two doubles, a triple, a home run and six RBIs.

It was a tough outing for Craig Stammen. The righty gave up eight hits and five runs, all earned, in just 1 2/3 innings. Freeman hit a two-run homer off Stammen.

The Nats have a 9-8 lead after seven.