Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann throws to the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning in game one of a double header at Nationals Park.Brad Mills
Jordan Zimmermann allowed six hits in eight innings, Bryce Harper singled home the ahead-run off R.A. Dickey and the Washington Nationals beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 Tuesday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.
A day after rain postponed the first meeting of the teams since 2012, Zimmermann (5-2) struck out four and walked one to win for the third time in four starts. After Toronto loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, he got Russell Martin to ground into a double play.
Drew Storen pitched a perfect ninth, earning his 17th save in 18 chances for the NL East leaders.
Harper's fifth-inning single gave him 29 RBIs in his last 27 games. Ryan Zimmerman added a sacrifice fly later in the inning.
In a game that began with only a few dozen fans in the stands, Dickey (2-6) gave up eight hits, struck out six and walked one.
Toronto had been the only major league team that had not been shut out. The Blue Jays have lost eight of their last nine road games.
Max Scherzer was to start the night game for the Nationals, and Marco Estrada for the Blue Jays.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Blue Jays: OF Jose Bautista made his first appearance in right field since straining a shoulder on April 21.
Nationals: CF Denard Span did not play after leaving Sunday's loss at Cincinnati with a sore right knee. ... RHP Doug Fister (forearm tightness) threw approximately 20 pitches off a mound Monday without discomfort. Fister was placed on the 15-day DL on May 15.
UP NEXT
Blue Jays: LHP Mark Buehrle (6-4, 4.97) is scheduled to start for Wednesday's series finale.
Nationals: With Stephen Strasburg on the DL, Nationals manager Matt Williams hinted RHP Taylor Jordan (0-1) could start Wednesday.