Jordan Zimmermann: "It could've been a lot worse"

BALTIMORE - Jordan Zimmermann battled through a tough five innings on Saturday night before Nationals manager Matt Williams decided to make an early call to the bullpen.

"He struggled a little bit with command and left some balls middle of the plate," Williams said. "He got to 95 (pitches) at that point and he's had a pretty strenuous first half, as well, and we're behind at that point, so we got him out."

The Nationals surged back in the top of the sixth behind a solo homer from Bryce Harper and a three-run shot from Danny Espinosa to take a 6-4 lead, which eventually led to Zimmermann's third straight win.

"There's no safe lead in this ballpark, that's for sure, and Espi came through with a three-run homer there," Zimmermann said.

The Orioles jumped on Zimmermann out of the gates as Manny Machado led off the game with a single and then Chris Parmalee responded with a double to set up the game's first run.

Caleb Joseph extended the Orioles' lead with a two-run blast in the second and Steve Pearce bombed a solo homer in the fourth. It was the second time this season Zimmermann allowed two home runs (June 17 versus Tampa Bay).

"For sure, it wasn't one of my better outings," Zimmermann said. "I didn't have very good fastball command the whole game and the off-speed was terrible, too. I guess I'm happy with four runs. It could've been a lot worse. My mindset going in after the first inning giving up a run and knowing I didn't have anything tonight to work with (was) just keep it close and do the best I can."

The Nationals reinstated Zimmermann from the paternity list Saturday afternoon, a day after his wife gave birth to their daughter, Ava Kristeen. Zimmermann indicated the family time wasn't a distraction from his preparation.

"I knew when the baby was coming, so all along I knew I'd be able to pitch (Saturday night)," Zimmermann said. "I told them that. So it wasn't like a surprise I was able to pitch.

"I've been playing catch and threw my bullpen and did everything normal. I just didn't have it. I didn't get ahead of many guys. Pitching from behind is never fun."

Zimmermann wraps up the first half of the season at 8-5 with a 3.22 ERA. The 29-year-old has pitched at least six innings in 14 of his 18 starts. Zimmermann brushed off some early control issues to finish with 20 walks, the same number he issued through 18 outings last year.

"I had a couple shaky starts," Zimmermann said, reflecting on the first half. "If I could eliminate that, it'd be great. But other than that, I thought it went well. Not too many complaints. Still some work to do, but overall it was decent."