Zimmerman, Nationals down Blue Jays

Baseball Betting Lines

06/17/2007 - Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Zimmerman homered to help the Washington Nationals avoid the sweep by edging the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-2, at Rogers Centre.

Frank Thomas made some history in defeat, hitting his 244th home run as a designated hitter to surpass Edgar Martinez on the all-time list. He now has 496 career home runs after going deep in the third inning.

The Washington pitching staff was stingy from there, however.

Micah Bowie (4-2) tossed six solid innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out six. The bullpen then combined to twirl three perfect frames, with Chad Cordero working the ninth for his 11th save on the season.

Austin Kearns went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Nationals, who came into this series off a three-game sweep of Baltimore.

Josh Towers (2-5) absorbed the loss after giving up four runs on seven hits for Toronto, which had a three-game winning streak halted.

The Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out in the first, and assumed the early 1-0 lead when Aaron Hill lifted a sacrifice fly to center.

Washington came back with two runs in the second. Dmitri Young and Kearns started the frame with back-to-back doubles to tie the game, and Tony Batista added an RBI single to put the Nationals in front.

Thomas' two-out solo home run in the bottom of the third pulled Toronto even, but that was short-lived.

Zimmerman opened up the fourth with his 12th home run of the year -- a shot to left -- to reclaim the lead for the Nationals.

Ronnie Belliard plated an insurance run in the fifth with a two-out single that brought in Robert Fick.

Game Notes

Bowie became the 321st pitcher to yield a home run to Thomas...Toronto (33-35) was trying to get to .500 for the first time since the club was 13-13 back on May 1...The Blue Jays had a six-game winning streak against Washington snapped.

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