P-Nats extend winning streak to season-high four games

Jordan Zimmermann was prepared to move on. Though he's felt like a regular in the Potomac Nationals rotation the past several weeks, the truth is the right-hander is only on loan from the big-league club.

Eventually his stay in Woodbridge will end, and Washington's future No. 2 starter will venture on to Double-A and beyond, destined for a return to the majors sometime next month.

"It feels like he's one of us," Potomac first baseman Tyler Moore said. "He buys us meals, and he plays cards with us. He's a young guy just like we are; he just has the stuff to be in the major leagues right now."

Zimmermann, who is making his way back from ligament replacement elbow surgery, was scheduled to make his final start for the P-Nats on Monday. But he arrived at Pfitzner Stadium with tightness in his neck, and organization officials decided to play it safe.

On the same day that Washington lefty Scott Olsen continued his comeback from a shoulder injury by throwing a bullpen session before the P-Nats' series opener against the Salem Red Sox, the Nationals announced that Zimmermann will start Wednesday's finale.

That pushed right-hander Adrian Alaniz onto the hill Monday, and the 26-year-old put together a performance in a 13-0 Potomac victory that again suggests he should be in Double-A.

"Alaniz has been our most consistent pitcher all year," Moore said. "He brings it every time and puts us in a position to win."

Alaniz (5-3) won his fourth consecutive decision with a dominating three-hit, shutout performance as the P-Nats improved to 13-9 in second-half play.

Behind Alaniz' six-inning gem and a big night from Moore, the P-Nats enjoyed their most lopsided victory of the season. In the process they roughed up Red Sox starter Brock Huntzinger, who began the night with a 7-4 record and a 3.33 ERA.

This outing didn't go nearly as well as so many of his others.

Potomac outfielder Mike Burgess, who was back in the lineup for the first time since the death of his grandmother, greeted Huntzinger with an RBI single in his first at-bat and then scored on a double by Moore in a two-run first inning.

Moore, who went 8 for 15 with five doubles, two home runs and six RBI in a four-game series against Kinston, had another ridiculous night with four hits and five more runs batted in.

"I'm just trying to not think too much up there and be competitive," he said. "I feel like I have some catching up to do."

Moore entered the series batting just .207, but he's hit in six straight now. After crushing an RBI double into left-center field in the first inning, he hit a solo home run to straightaway center field in the fourth, doubled in two more runs in a four-run sixth and then singled in a run in the seventh, making him 12 for 20 with 11 RBI over the past five games.

Shortstop Jose Lozada also homered -- a solo blast down the right field line in the fifth -- and teamed up with left fielder Bill Rhinehart to throw out a runner at the plate to end the top of the sixth.

Rhinehart added a two-run homer on a line drive that ricocheted off the right field foul pole in a four-run sixth inning, while center fielder Chris Curran, third baseman Josh Johnson (3 for 5) and Lozada also delivered RBI singles in a five-run seventh.

It all allowed the P-Nats to extend their winning streak to a season-high four games.

And things could get even better.

With new starter Danny Rosenbaum arriving from Hagerstown during the fourth inning, the rotation for the next few days will feature two big leaguers and a top prospect. Rosenbaum, a 22nd round draft pick last year, will make his Carolina League debut on Tuesday, followed by Zimmermann on Wednesday and Olsen on Thursday.

"Our pitching is good, and we're getting timely hits," Moore said. "It's just fun to play right now. When you're winning, everything's good."

Staff writer Dave Utnik can be reached at 703-530-3914.