Nationalsclub.com | Washington Nationals News, nationals Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> --3B Ryan Zimmerman sat out his third consecutive game Wednesday, still nursing a sore left shoulder, and he may miss Thursday's series finale against the Padres as well. Zimmerman did say his shoulder was improving thanks to treatment and a strengthening program. He expects to be back for this weekend's series at Arizona. "It's a day-to-day thing," Zimmerman said. "I could come back and feel good tomorrow. The good thing is, it's getting better every day." 3B/1B Aaron Boone continues to fill in at third base in Zimmerman's absence.</div>--SS Cristian Guzman hasn't just been the Nationals' most consistent offensive player this season, he's been one of the most productive shortstops in the NL. With another double Wednesday night in San Diego, Guzman now has 23 extra-base hits (17 doubles, two triples, five homers). That's tops among all NL East shortstops, besting Mets SS Jose Reyes (22), Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez (18), Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins (17) and Braves SS Yunel Escobar (11). --C Jesus Flores clubbed the first grand slam of his career Wednesday night, drilling a 1-2 fastball from Padres LHP Shawn Estes into the left field bleachers at Petco Park. The second-year catcher continues to perform while filling in for injured veterans C Paul Lo Duca and C Johnny Estrada, so much so that team officials are going to have to consider keeping him on the roster once those players return from the disabled list. In 19 games this season, Flores is now hitting .344 with two homers, 14 RBIs, 11 extra-base hits and a .590 slugging percentage that leads the club. --LHP Odalis Perez pitched 6 1/3 effective innings Wednesday night in San Diego despite having emergency root canal earlier in the day. Perez said his lower left molar had been in pain for about 10 days and was hurting so much Tuesday night he couldn't sleep. He scheduled an appointment first thing in the morning, spent more than four hours having the procedure and admitted he was weak the rest of the day yet insisted on making his scheduled start. Perez wound up allowing just one run through his first six innings before giving up two more in the seventh. "He did a tremendous job," manager Manny Acta said. "The guy had a root canal this morning and went out there and battled for us. I think we're scheduling (another) one in five days for him." --RHP Jon Rauch continues to thrive in his new role as Washington's closer. Rauch, who has been subbing for RHP Chad Cordero while the latter deals with a right shoulder injury, earned his 11th save in 13 tries Wednesday night with a 1-2-3 inning against the Padres. He has yet to allow an earned run in save situations this season. BY THE NUMBERS: 721 -- Days since Ryan Zimmerman and Austin Kearns were both been out of the Nationals' lineup, which happened Monday with Zimmerman taking a day off and Kearns on the disabled list. The last time was June 5, 2006, before the Nationals traded for Kearns. QUOTE TO NOTE: "If they want to go ahead and test me and throw fastballs in there, that's fine." -- 3B Ryan Zimmerman, on whether he's worried opponents know he is fighting a sore shoulder.

--3B Ryan Zimmerman sat out his third consecutive game Wednesday, still nursing a sore left shoulder, and he may miss Thursday's series finale against the Padres as well. Zimmerman did say his shoulder was improving thanks to treatment and a strengthening program. He expects to be back for this weekend's series at Arizona. "It's a day-to-day thing," Zimmerman said. "I could come back and feel good tomorrow. The good thing is, it's getting better every day." 3B/1B Aaron Boone continues to fill in at third base in Zimmerman's absence.

--SS Cristian Guzman hasn't just been the Nationals' most consistent offensive player this season, he's been one of the most productive shortstops in the NL. With another double Wednesday night in San Diego, Guzman now has 23 extra-base hits (17 doubles, two triples, five homers). That's tops among all NL East shortstops, besting Mets SS Jose Reyes (22), Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez (18), Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins (17) and Braves SS Yunel Escobar (11).

--C Jesus Flores clubbed the first grand slam of his career Wednesday night, drilling a 1-2 fastball from Padres LHP Shawn Estes into the left field bleachers at Petco Park. The second-year catcher continues to perform while filling in for injured veterans C Paul Lo Duca and C Johnny Estrada, so much so that team officials are going to have to consider keeping him on the roster once those players return from the disabled list. In 19 games this season, Flores is now hitting .344 with two homers, 14 RBIs, 11 extra-base hits and a .590 slugging percentage that leads the club.

--LHP Odalis Perez pitched 6 1/3 effective innings Wednesday night in San Diego despite having emergency root canal earlier in the day. Perez said his lower left molar had been in pain for about 10 days and was hurting so much Tuesday night he couldn't sleep. He scheduled an appointment first thing in the morning, spent more than four hours having the procedure and admitted he was weak the rest of the day yet insisted on making his scheduled start. Perez wound up allowing just one run through his first six innings before giving up two more in the seventh. "He did a tremendous job," manager Manny Acta said. "The guy had a root canal this morning and went out there and battled for us. I think we're scheduling (another) one in five days for him."

--RHP Jon Rauch continues to thrive in his new role as Washington's closer. Rauch, who has been subbing for RHP Chad Cordero while the latter deals with a right shoulder injury, earned his 11th save in 13 tries Wednesday night with a 1-2-3 inning against the Padres. He has yet to allow an earned run in save situations this season.

BY THE NUMBERS: 721 -- Days since Ryan Zimmerman and Austin Kearns were both been out of the Nationals' lineup, which happened Monday with Zimmerman taking a day off and Kearns on the disabled list. The last time was June 5, 2006, before the Nationals traded for Kearns.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "If they want to go ahead and test me and throw fastballs in there, that's fine." -- 3B Ryan Zimmerman, on whether he's worried opponents know he is fighting a sore shoulder.