Here’s what Jordan Zimmermann had to say about his day:
On having to pitch with runners on base, something he hasn’t done all spring: “It was different, that’s for sure. I got myself in a couple binds early, and they fouled a lot of pitches off and got my pitch count up today. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go all four innings; I went three and a third. I got one crucial ground ball that saved me a lot of pitches (a third-inning double play) and got a couple guys to fly out. All in all, it was a pretty good day, I guess.”
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On fighting out of a jam in the third inning: “I needed that, I guess, to see how things would go. I really had to battle today, and it was pretty hot out there. My mechanics were a little messed up today—I was flying open a little bit—but I got the ground ball when I needed it.”
On how his four pitches broke down: “I threw a couple changeups and a couple curveballs that weren’t too good. The slider and the fastball were the only things that were working today.”
On how his comfort level has changed since the start of spring: “I’m real comfortable. I had a couple outings where I didn’t give up any hits and any runs, and your confidence goes way up. It’s real easy when your offense puts up five runs early and you get settled in, but I didn’t get settled in too well today. You’re going to have those days.”
Not that the Nationals are guaranteed a win for his efforts. That’s because Washington’s bullpen has blown yet another lead. The Mets scored four in the seventh and another run in the ninth, and the game is currently tied 5-5 headed into the bottom of the ninth.
