Martinez motivated to get Zimmerman going

MILWAUKEE - Ryan Zimmerman gets his first start tonight since returning from the disabled list. One reason Zimmerman hasn't seen a start yet this week is because of Matt Adams' success against right-handers.

The Brewers are going to throw three straight right-handers against the Nationals. But manager Davey Martinez said that might not prevent Zimmerman from getting starts anyway.

"We got to get him in the lineup," Martinez said. "We got to get him going. Like I said before when he's hot, he can carry us for a while so we want to make sure we get him going.

Martinez has talent backing up talent at first base. He said he might give Juan Soto a day off in left field, so he could get Adams starts there when Zimmerman is at first base.

"Matt has done an unbelievable job and he's going to get the chance to play, as well," Martinez said. "We just got to figure out where and when to play both these guys. The nice thing about it is if we have to give Soto a day off we can play Matt in left field, too, and play Zim at first. We got some options. Good options to have. I want to see if we can get Zim going. He might play tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

"But I told Matty, 'Hey, you've done a great job, you're going play. Don't think that this is something where he comes back and you're not. You're both going to get a chance to play.' "

Martinez moved Trea Turner to the seventh spot in the order for tonight's series opener. Turner has hit .185 in his last 27 at-bats. The skipper wants Turner to not have to worry about on-base percentage and just go out and swing the bat.

"For me, Trea is a pure hitter," Martinez said. "I just want him to concentrate on hitting. Not worry about getting on base or anything. He'll be good down there. I've always said this, he could drive in runs for us, and be productive down in the bottom of the order"

In his last start at Pittsburgh with Matt Wieters as his catcher, Gio Gonzalez allowed only two runs over six innings. He has now surrendered three or fewer runs in three starts in a row. Wieters, who returned from the disabled list July 9, was back to catch him after developing a good rhythm and tempo with Gonzalez last season.

Martinez said Gonzalez has been successful like he was at the beginning of the season because of his command of the strike zone.

"Quality strikes. He threw a lot of quality strikes," Martinez said of the start against the Pirates. "He was really good. And hopefully he carries that over to today and gives us a good six, seven innings. Well located strikes. Keeping the ball out of the meat of plate, but throwing strikes."

Martinez noted the way Wieters handles Gonzalez each time they work together. He says Wieters keeps Gonzalez moving forward, concentrating on the next pitch, not worrying about a hit here or a walk there.

"I think it helps him a lot," Martinez said having Wieters as Gonzalez's batterymate. "It helps him take away possibly some of the guessing that goes on in his mind. Wieters puts his fingers down and he just goes with it and they work good together."

Left-hander Sammy Solís returned Sunday and got right into the rain-delayed game against the Braves with an important out, despite two hits. Martinez was thankful Solís was able to jump right back in, especially after the disappointment of being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse when the club had a roster logjam in late June.

"It's a testament to Sammy and how he wants to be up here and help us win," Martinez said. "Yesterday, he topped out at 95 mph, which was a great sign. He knows how I feel about him. I'm going to throw him in there in a tough situation because I think he can do it. I've got all the confidence in the world in him. It was good to see him out there yesterday and he felt good about himself and so did everybody else."

Right-hander Koda Glover's steady progress continues after two outings with Syracuse. Martinez was asked if Glover is closer to rejoining the Nationals?

"He's got to keep going," Martinez said. "He's had like five outings down there. Typically, in spring training these guys get eight or nine outings. But he's doing well. The biggest thing for him is to stay healthy, build up his innings and build up his strength."