After a wretched April, the Nationals started to get their act together in the last week. Impressive work from their starting rotation was the key. Rookie right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Shairon Martis combined to record five of the team's first six wins this season, and Martis set the tone for the rest of the staff by tossing a complete-game, five-hitter Saturday against the Cardinals.
PLAYER NEWS: --3B Ryan Zimmerman extended his Nationals-record hitting streak to 23 games with a single off Chris Sampson in the sixth inning Tuesday. Zimmerman's streak is the longest in the major leagues this season.
--RHP Garrett Mock hyperextended his right leg while trying to field Michael Bourn's bunt popup in the eighth inning, but the reliever said he's not injured. "They did an X-ray on it. Everything's fine," Mock said.
--OF Austin Kearns is hitting .321 with a .486 on-base percentage in his last 10 games, the product of a change in his swing that manager Manny Acta said is making the difference between this year and last season, when Kearns hit just .217 in 86 games. "He took it upon himself and flew down to Florida (before spring training) and spent a few days with (hitting coach) Rick (Eckstein)," Acta said. "He's been able to level his swing a little bit more. He doesn't have that slight uppercut that he had, so he's able to get to pitches inside that he wasn't able to."
MEDICAL WATCH:
LHP Joe Beimel (strained left hip flexor) went on the 15-day disabled list April 21. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Potomac on May 1, and he will be activated May 6.
1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. He was expected to begin a 20-day rehab stint with Class AAA Syracuse in early May.
RHP Terrell Young (inflamed right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He started a throwing program at extended spring training in early April.
OF Roger Bernadina (broken right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 19, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 29. He had surgery April 18, and he will miss a minimum of two months before beginning a rehab assignment.
LHP Matt Chico (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2008) went on the 60-day disabled list March 28. He will miss at least the first half of the season.
ROTATION:
LHP John Lannan
LHP Scott Olsen
RHP Daniel Cabrera
RHP Shairon Martis
RHP Jordan Zimmermann
BULLPEN:
RHP Julian Tavarez
RHP Kip Wells
RHP Mike Hinckley
RHP Joel Hanrahan
LHP Joe Beimel
RHP Garrett Mock
RHP Logan Kensing
CATCHERS:
Jesus Flores
Wil Nieves
INFIELDERS:
1B Nick Johnson
2B Anderson Hernandez
SS Cristian Guzman
3B Ryan Zimmerman
INF Ronnie Belliard
INF Alex Cintron
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Adam Dunn
CF Elijah Dukes
RF Austin Kearns
OF Josh Willingham
OF/2B Willie Harris
