Nats’ run ends, unlike Zimmerman’s slump

“Hits don’t win ballgames. Hits with runners in scoring position win ballgames, and we haven’t been able to do that lately,” Acta said. “We can’t expect our pitching to be as good as it’s been the last couple weeks.”

Sooner or later the Nationals are going to need their once-potent lineup - particularly their No. 3 hitter - to get back on track.

“We’ve had a lot of opportunities, and we haven’t capitalized on nearly enough of them,” Zimmerman said. “And we’re still winning without doing that, so I think it’s kind of a positive outlook. Once we start getting hits - which we will - I think this team will really take off.”