In offensive assault, Jordan Zimmermann delivered the biggest blow

ATLANTA - Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann pitched seven solid innings and delivered a three-run single to help the Nationals earn their second series win of the season in a 13-4 victory over the Braves.

After yesterday's chaotic 13-12 game, the Nats needed a lengthy start from Zimmermann and he came through allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. Little did anyone know it would be at the plate where Zimmermann's impact would be felt most.

Trailing 3-2 in the fourth, the Nats had the bases loaded with two outs when Zimmermann dug in against Braves starter Alex Wood. Despite Zimmermann being hitless in six at-bats this year, Wood started him with three straight balls. Threatening to walk in a run, Wood fired two strikes to work back into a full count. But Zimmermann won the at-bat on a line drive single to left that plated all three runners.

Center fielder Denard Span said the Nats dugout erupted.

"A couple people said, 'Who needs the DH?' or 'Bleep the DH,' " Span recalled with a smile.

There was a certain bit of irony to Zimmermann's key hit. Teammate Max Scherzer made some comments about the need for the designated hitter in the National League after jamming his thumb while hitting a ground ball in last Thursday's game. Last year's World Series MVP, Madison Bumgarner, took exception to Scherzer's position with some colorful statements.

When asked about his game-breaking base knock, Zimmermann used the postgame stage to take a playful jab at Scherzer.

"I like hitting and I'm just not as fragile as some guys on this team," Zimmermann said.

The laughs that followed are a good sign for a Nats clubhouse that's been melancholy for most of April. After banging out 30 hits and scoring 26 runs over the past two nights, it seems the dark days of a seven-game losing streak are behind the Nats as they head to New York to play the National League East-leading Mets.

"This game is a lot mental and if you're not swinging it good and you don't feel good at the plate, then you tend to press a little bit," manager Matt Williams said. "You tend to get outside of yourself and try to do things you're not necessarily capable of doing. It plays a big role for us."

Second baseman Dan Uggla's game-winning homer last night may have woken a sleeping giant. Tonight, four different Nats had multi-hit games, led by third baseman Danny Espinosa's 4-for-5 effort.

Span capped off the evening with a three-run homer in the ninth. It was his second straight game going deep. He finished the two-game assault with five of his seven hits going for extra bases.

"We definitely needed just to wake our bats up the last two games," Span said. "It's fun when guys are putting good swings on the ball. The old cliché - hitting is contagious. I think last night was just a good one for us and it carried over to today."