WASHINGTON -- Ryan Zimmerman came forward to make a head-high running catch on a slicing line drive off the bat of Chase Utley, a routine play that drew a disproportionately grand ovation from the home fans. "Thats almost the awkward part of it," Zimmerman said. "Yeah, I caught the ball. Yeah, like, I can catch a fly ball." He might have been embarrassed by all the fuss, but it was nevertheless a landmark moment in career of the player long considered the face of the Washington Nationals franchise. It was his first putout as an outfielder after more than 1,100 games as a third baseman, part of a good night all around for him and his club Tuesday in a 7-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Jordan Zimmermann rebounded from a mini-slump to throw eight scoreless innings, Zimmerman hit a pair of doubles and handled his two chances with aplomb in left field, and the Nationals moved back to .500 by taking the opener of the three-game series. "Theres nothing like getting into the first game and getting a couple of balls," Zimmerman said. "And getting a couple of hits helped, too." Zimmermann (4-2) allowed five hits and struck out four, recovering well from four middling starts that had raised his usually impeccable ERA to 4.07. He got all the support he needed when the Nationals scored three in the third inning off David Buchanan (1-2), making his third career start. "May was a pretty rough month for me, and hopefully June has better things to come," Zimmermann said. "I wanted to go nine, but eightll be good enough." Zimmerman went 2 for 4 with one RBI after being reinstated before the game following 44 games on the disabled list with a broken right thumb. Of greater interest was his move to the outfield, a switch necessitated by his throwing problems and the need for a strong hitter to play left field while Bryce Harper recovers from thumb surgery. Zimmerman said he was initially hesitant to try the outfield, but he realized his chronic shoulder problems mean his days as a regular third baseman are numbered. Ever the team player, he said he just wanted to help the club win -- even if theres likely not a Gold Glove in it for him, like the one he won playing third in 2009. "I feel like Im athletic enough to at least blend in," he said. "And not cause problems." Like many infielders-turned-outfielders before him, he learned the action isnt as fast and furious when stationed 300 feet from home plate. Playing deeper than a usual left fielder and using a glove borrowed from teammate Jayson Werth, he fielded only the liner from Utley and a shallow flyout by Marlon Byrd in the sixth before being removed for defensive replacement Nate McLouth after seven innings. There was no complaint about the lack of work. "That means our pitchers are doing a good job," Zimmerman said. "I just catch what comes to me." Its Zimmermans bat thats really needed by the Nationals, who slumped at the plate for most of last month and have been hovering around .500 in the NL East. They started hitting better in a weekend series against the Texas Rangers, however, and have scored 26 runs in their last four games. Zimmerman doubled to left in the second and to right in the fifth, and each time a black padded glove was brought to him to wear to protect his thumb as he ran the bases. Werth added a two-run double in the third, Denard Span had three hits, and Ian Desmond and Anthony Rendon homered for the Nationals. The Phillies lost their fourth straight and were shut out for the eighth time this season, failing to get any impetus from a pregame team meeting called by manager Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg addressed focus and fundamentals, but theres only so much the manager could do about Zimmermanns mid-90s fastball and debilitating slider. Philadelphia is 9-18 since May 4. "We werent able to get anything going offensively, got shut down by a good pitcher," Sandberg said. "He kind of set the tone for the game." NOTES: The Phillies optioned RHP Phillippe Aumont to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and recalled RHP Ethan Martin from Lehigh Valley. ... Philadelphia signed RHP Jason Marquis to a minor league contract. He will report to Class-A Clearwater for extended spring training. ... Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez, on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed pitching shoulder, will make a rehab start with Single-A Potomac on Friday. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys China . The NFLs Defensive Rookie of the Year will be named at the NFL Honours Award show on February 1. The 23-year-old 2013 second-rounder out of Oregon becomes the third Bills linebacker to win the honour after Jim Haslett (1979) and Shane Conlan (1987. Soccer Jerseys Outlet . It was the first game back in Columbus for Rangers star Rick Nash, the Blue Jackets franchise leader in goals, assists and games. He was given a standing ovation during a video tribute in the first period, but was booed loud and long after a second-period, two-handed shove up high on Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/.9 million deal Thursday. The 25-year McGinn had 19 goals and 19 assists in 79 games last season in helping the Avalanche tie a franchise record with 52 wins. Stitched Soccer Jerseys . Wiggins, who had been seen as a contender for a podium finish in Paris, was one of about 20 riders caught near the back of the peloton with 38 kilometres to go in the 218-km flat stage from Le Mans to Chateauroux. Cheap Soccer Jerseys Authentic . -- Victor Bernardez tied the game with his second goal in the 95th minute and the San Jose Earthquakes drew 3-3 with Real Salt Lake on Saturday night.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Edmonton Oilers have no hopes of spoiling the Anaheim Ducks playoff chances, but they can put a dent in their quest for the Pacific Division title. Anaheim kicked off a three-game homestand on Monday by welcoming Winnipeg to town, but the Jets were rude visitors as they went up 4-0 at the 10:54 mark of the second period. However, Anaheim was able to rally for a 5-4 overtime victory. The Ducks could have used some help from the Oilers last night, but instead Edmonton was defeated 5-4 by San Jose. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had two goals and an assist, Taylor Hall notched a goal and three assists and Jordan Eberle finished with a goal and two helpers. "We battled extremely hard," Edmonton coach Dallas Eakins said. "In my recent memory I cant remember a game where we were supporting and fighting and battling [like we did]. I liked our compete level." Ben Scrivens allowed all five goals on 33 shots in the setback. Anaheim is to 4-0-1 in its last five games and looking for its third straight victory. "We didnt have a great start [Monday vs. Winnipeg]. Being down 4-0 halfway through the game, its tough to overcome,," Perry said.dddddddddddd"But we said in here, if we keep pushing and playing that style we established in the second half of the second period, no team can play with us. Thats the way weve got to keep playing." The Ducks set a club record with their 49th win of the season, surpassing the 48-win total set by the Stanley Cup-winning 2006-07 club, and moved three points ahead of the San Jose Sharks for first place in the Pacific Division. The Sharks were able to pull back to within a point following Tuesday nights victory over the Oilers, but the Ducks have two games in hand. The Ducks and Oilers, who sit last in the Western Conference with 61 points, will wrap their season series with two meetings over the next five days. Anaheim will visit Edmonton on Sunday after concluding its homestand on Friday versus the Nashville Predators. The Ducks won their first two encounters with the Oilers this season to push their series winning streak to six in a row before the Oilers won the most recent encounter 4-3 in overtime at home on March 28. Anaheim has still won 16 of the last 19 meetings overall as well as three straight and seven of the previous nine at home. ' ' '