Nationalsclub.com | Washington Nationals News, nationals Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> --RHP Daniel Cabrera recorded his first quality start of the season Thursday night, but few would call the right-hander's performance quality. Cabrera walked five and uncorked four wild pitches during six up-and-down innings against the Cardinals. He wound up surrendering only three runs -- meeting the minimum standard for a quality start -- but the Nationals' coaching staff still was concerned about his lack of control.</div>--3B Ryan Zimmerman extended his career-best hitting streak to 19 games Thursday night with a first-inning homer off Cardinals RHP Mitchell Boggs. Zimmerman has hardly been on fire during this stretch -- he's batting .308 (25-for-81) -- but he's maintained a level of consistency that wasn't there earlier in his career. The 24-year-old had a tendency in the past to go on a hot streak for a week but then follow that with a weeklong slump. Zimmerman believes his success this year has been a product of maturity and sticking with the same approach to every at-bat. "Every day he's having two or three good at-bats and making consistent contact," manager Manny Acta said. --RHP Saul Rivera remained with the Nationals on Wednesday after the team added RHP Logan Kensing in a trade with the Marlins late Tuesday night. Rivera had been optioned to Class AAA Syracuse (N.Y.) on April 19 when RHP Jason Bergmann was recalled, but it was Bergmann who was sent down this time. "Saul was the best middle reliever on this team for the last three years," manager Manny Acta said. "Compiling over 70 appearances during the last two years has to count for something. Saul's having a rough time. We feel we can get him back on track and be valuable again." --RHP Julian Tavarez allowed one hit in the ninth inning Wednesday in earning his first save since May 28, 2006, when he was a member of the Red Sox. After Joel Hanrahan blew three of his first five save chances this season, manager Manny Acta decided Tuesday to split the closer's role between RHP Kip Wells and Tavarez, depending on matchups. "I wasn't going to put it in my head that I was in the closer's situation," Tavarez said. "I know Hanrahan's going to come back." BY THE NUMBERS: 16 -- Consecutive road games the Nationals had lost, all against division opponents, before beating the Mets 8-2 on Sunday in New York. Washington's last road win before Sunday was Sept. 7, 2008, against Atlanta. QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think everyone's out there playing hard. We're making mistakes that big-league teams should not make, but we're making them, and that's what's costing us games." -- Outfielder Adam Dunn, on the defensive lapses that hurt the Nationals in two losses to the Mets over the weekend. Washington, which led the National League with 123 errors last season, has committed 18 in 17 games this season.

--RHP Daniel Cabrera recorded his first quality start of the season Thursday night, but few would call the right-hander's performance quality. Cabrera walked five and uncorked four wild pitches during six up-and-down innings against the Cardinals. He wound up surrendering only three runs -- meeting the minimum standard for a quality start -- but the Nationals' coaching staff still was concerned about his lack of control.

--3B Ryan Zimmerman extended his career-best hitting streak to 19 games Thursday night with a first-inning homer off Cardinals RHP Mitchell Boggs. Zimmerman has hardly been on fire during this stretch -- he's batting .308 (25-for-81) -- but he's maintained a level of consistency that wasn't there earlier in his career. The 24-year-old had a tendency in the past to go on a hot streak for a week but then follow that with a weeklong slump. Zimmerman believes his success this year has been a product of maturity and sticking with the same approach to every at-bat. "Every day he's having two or three good at-bats and making consistent contact," manager Manny Acta said.

--RHP Saul Rivera remained with the Nationals on Wednesday after the team added RHP Logan Kensing in a trade with the Marlins late Tuesday night. Rivera had been optioned to Class AAA Syracuse (N.Y.) on April 19 when RHP Jason Bergmann was recalled, but it was Bergmann who was sent down this time. "Saul was the best middle reliever on this team for the last three years," manager Manny Acta said. "Compiling over 70 appearances during the last two years has to count for something. Saul's having a rough time. We feel we can get him back on track and be valuable again."

--RHP Julian Tavarez allowed one hit in the ninth inning Wednesday in earning his first save since May 28, 2006, when he was a member of the Red Sox. After Joel Hanrahan blew three of his first five save chances this season, manager Manny Acta decided Tuesday to split the closer's role between RHP Kip Wells and Tavarez, depending on matchups. "I wasn't going to put it in my head that I was in the closer's situation," Tavarez said. "I know Hanrahan's going to come back."

BY THE NUMBERS: 16 -- Consecutive road games the Nationals had lost, all against division opponents, before beating the Mets 8-2 on Sunday in New York. Washington's last road win before Sunday was Sept. 7, 2008, against Atlanta.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think everyone's out there playing hard. We're making mistakes that big-league teams should not make, but we're making them, and that's what's costing us games." -- Outfielder Adam Dunn, on the defensive lapses that hurt the Nationals in two losses to the Mets over the weekend. Washington, which led the National League with 123 errors last season, has committed 18 in 17 games this season.