Jordan Zimmermann allowed two runs and six hits with no walks over seven innings to become the first eight-game winner in the National League with a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Rafael Soriano pitched the ninth for his 14th save of the season.
Zimmermann got help from a struggling Washington offense in the fifth inning that started with a base hit from Bryce Harper. Adam LaRoche then followed with a triple. Kurt Suzuki singled home LaRoche.
And after an infield single by Tyler Moore and put a second runner on base with two outs, Steve Lombardozzi, starting for the injured Danny Espinosa, then drilled a two-run double to right.
The Nationals entered Friday’s game hitting .234 with runners on base, the third-worst mark in the major leagues.
