Jordan Zimmermann doesn't back down while Dan Uggla tries to keep it up

VIERA, Fla. - Both starting pitchers created a couple of intense moments during the Nationals' 4-2 win over the Marlins.

It all started in the second inning, when Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann stepped in the box for his first spring at-bat with runners on first and third and nobody out. The first pitch from Marlins starter Henderson Alvarez came up and in, grazing Zimmermann on the left elbow as he attempted to back away. Zimmermann stood there for a couple of seconds before slowly making his way to first base while staring down Alvarez the entire 90 feet. The home plate umpire made the journey with Zimmermann, creating a buffer between he and Alvarez to make sure nothing further would escalate in the exhibition game.

"I didn't say anything," Zimmermann said. "He was just looking at me and I was just looking at him like, 'Really?'

"I don't know if was intentional or not, but it sure seemed like it."

Happenstance prevailed in the top of the third when Alvarez led off the inning with Zimmermann still on the mound. Everyone at Space Coast Stadium was waiting to see if Zimmermann would respond, including Alvarez, who stepped out of the box as to protect himself from when the first pitch was released. It was down the middle for a strike and Alvarez grounded out quietly to shortstop Ian Desmond on the next pitch.

But the drama extended into the fifth inning, when Alvarez came to the plate for the second time. Now it was a Zimmermann fastball that ran in on Alvarez, causing the big righty to fall forward as he lost his balance trying to avoid the pitch. Alvarez wasn't happy as he motioned back and forth to the home plate umpire and mound. He laid down a bunt on the next pitch, and after being thrown out at first base, slowly trotted in front of Zimmermann on the infield grass.

"I went with a fastball in, knowing he's bunting, trying to get him to pop it up," Zimmermann said. "He stared me down and I turned around and I just said, 'Can I help you?' And then he didn't say anything. So I said, 'Get back to the dugout where you belong.' And that was it."

After the game, Zimmermann was clearly still bothered by getting hit on his non-throwing elbow.

"Well, I'm a pitcher," he said. "I'm not going to do much damage, so just throw it over the middle. You come inside on a guy, just throw it over the middle. I'm not going to hurt you. Just frustrating. You know (when) he throws a sinker up and in like that."

Nationals manager Matt Williams couldn't cover the smile from his face when the subject of the brouhaha came up.

"Boys will be boys," he said. "Little into spring training, everybody's a little testy."

As for Zimmermann's effort on the mound, the Nats right-hander allowed just one run while yielding eight hits and recording four strikeouts in five frames.

"For the most part, it was good," Zimmermann said. "Gave up a few hits and had to work out of some jams. Few too many 0-2 base hits and leaving a few balls over the middle, but other than that I pitched out of some jams and it went well."

Zimmermann threw 63 pitches with 43 strikes in the game and actually went to the bullpen for an additional 10 pitches when he was removed after the fifth.

"I still felt strong at the end, so the arm feels good," he said. "I could've easily went a couple more. Just building up little by little and I'm pretty close to ready."

Williams agreed, saying he was impressed with the velocity and placement of Zimmermann's fastball throughout the afternoon. The right-hander boasts a 1.32 ERA after allowing just two earned runs in 13 2/3 innings so far this spring.

The Nats got all of their offense in the fourth inning off back-to-back at-bats from catcher Wilson Ramos and second baseman Dan Uggla. Ramos put the Nats on the board with a one-out single, scoring Desmond and Bryce Harper. Moments later, Uggla took an Alvarez pitch the opposite way that carried over the right field wall for his second homer of the exhibition season.

Much focus has been on Ramos' health or his handling of the Nats' star-studded rotation. But the six-year veteran has been swinging a clutch bat this spring, hitting .296 with four RBIs.

"He's big for us," said Williams. "Where he hits in the lineup, generally he will have lots of opportunities and drive those runs in. He knows how to do it. He uses the middle of the ballpark a lot. Hits the ball the other way well. He's swinging it good. He's feeling good. Legs are good so far and hasn't had any issues, so I like where he's at."

Meanwhile, the 35-year-old Uggla is making a case to be part of the Nationals' opening day roster. That was considered a long shot when camp began a month ago, considering Uggla had seen his career fall apart the past three seasons.

"So far, so good," Uggla said. "I'm really pleased with the way I've been seeing the ball. At the same time, it's early and I just want to keep going in this direction, that's for sure."

The three-time All-Star is hitting .333 with two homers, two doubles and six RBIs in 12 exhibition games.

Yunel Escobar, the team's expected starting second baseman, has yet to play a spring game after suffering a Grade 1 oblique strain just before the Grapefruit League opener. Williams expects Escobar to play three innings and get a couple of at-bats in Monday's game against the Yankees. But in the meantime, Uggla continues to impress him.

"He's hitting the ball to right-center field, which is key for Danny," Williams said. "He's staying on the baseball. He drove a ball the other way the other day with a man on second and nobody out. Today, he got one out over and hit it that way. Also got a single to left, which he does in his sleep.

"The fact that he's staying through the middle and staying on the middle of the baseball bodes well for him. He's seeing it good. He's taking his walks. He's picking a pitch to hit and hitting it, which is a good sign."

And finally Williams announced that right-hander Stephen Strasburg will miss his scheduled start tomorrow after spraining his left ankle during conditioning drills on Friday. Strasburg is expected to rest for a few days before pitching again. Williams said it's not serious, but it's now the second start that Strasburg will miss after an ingrown toenail scratched him 10 days ago.

Williams has had to deal with five different injuries causing significant players to miss time this spring. Center fielder Denard Span had abdominal muscle surgery, Anthony Rendon mildly sprained his left MCL, Escobar strained an oblique and Strasburg dealt with toe and ankle problems.

Williams deflected a question after the game on whether he was tired of finding out bad news.

"All the news that we've had with the exception of Denard have been nicks and things. It's not stuff that's debilitating for our team," Williams said. "Same with Stras. He just turned it a little bit in that regard. He just turned it a little bit, so we're being cautious in that regard. He'll still get a couple more before the end of spring and he'll be fine."