Zimmerman hits 28th homer (Angels win 3-2)

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

August 16, 2017, 9:48am

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The Nationals jumped on Angels starter Ricky Nolasco in the first inning. With one out, Wilmer Difo singled. He now has a career-high 11-game hitting streak. Difo then stole second. After a groundout by Daniel Murphy, Ryan Zimmerman slammed his 28th homer of the season. The two-run shot over the left-center field wall put the Nats up 2-0.

The Nats are 50-16 (.758) this season when scoring first.

This is the second time in Zimmerman's career he has hit 28 homers in a season. He hit a career-high 33 homers in 2009.

Nats starter Tanner Roark has allowed only a Luis Valbuena double in the first three innings. He has struck out two.

Mid-third on a hot Wednesday afternoon at Nats Park, the Nats lead the Angels 2-0.

Update: Valbuena has seen Roark's pitches well today. He hit a 1-0 pitch over the center field wall for his 13th homer of the season. The solo shot gets the Angels on the board. Roark battled back to record three outs in a row.

Mid-fifth, the Nationals leads the Angels 2-1.

Update II: The Angels took a 3-2 lead on a two-run homer by Kole Calhoun in the sixth. Roark finished seven innings, scattering four hits and allowing three runs with two walks and three strikeouts. He fired 97 pitches, 60 for strikes.

Update III: Cam Bedrosian came on in the ninth for the Angels. Michael A. Taylor walked. Jose Lobaton bunted Taylor to second. Pinch-hitter Matt Wieters grounded out to second, with Taylor going to third.

With two outs and on a 3-2 count, Howie Kendrick grounded out to second to end the game.

Final score: Angels 3, Nats 2.