Curveball big key to Jordan Zimmermann's recent surge

Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann has been able to locate and establish his curveball early in counts, which has helped his fastball and approach in his last two starts.

On Tuesday night, he held the Braves scoreless for 7 2/3 innings on six hits with no walks while striking out six for the win, 6-1.

"I had a good curveball the last two starts and felt like I could throw it when I wanted to, where I wanted to, any count," Zimmermann told reporters. "Keep them off balance, just pound the zone, let those guys behind me play defense."

First baseman Clint Robinson told the media he noticed that Zimmermann's breaking stuff was very good again, and that made it tough for the Braves to get anything going. Manager Matt Williams said having such good command of his offspeed pitches made his fastball more lethal.

"The ability to throw a breaking ball behind in the count, early in the count," Williams told reporters after the game. "Had a good feel for his curveball tonight, especially against their lefties. The ball was down in the strike zone. If he can do that, then he can get a lot of swings and misses down on the breaking ball, which he got tonight."

Zimmermann (6-5) said he really felt good about the curve and that the slider was workable, but not devastating. He said his strategy was to not let the batter relax too much with the breaking balls, quickly reminding them of his mid-90s mph fastball.

"The curveball was really good, slider was hit or miss, but for the most part I was able to throw it where I wanted to when I wanted to and keep them off balance," Zimmermann said to the media in the clubhouse.

"Throw the fastball in occasionally. They start leaning over and getting comfortable and you throw it in, move their feet a little bit and then they have to be aware of that pitch so that's the biggest thing."

After allowing 13 runs in three starts previously, Zimmermann has now not allowed a run in the last two starts, a span of 15 2/3 innings. It is the confidence in locating the curveball, and being able to throw it for a strike, that has been a major part of this resurgence.