el, giving Scott Kazmir and the As a spark with a pair of RBIs t

PHILADELPHIA -- Jordan Zimmermann and a pair of defensive gems were enough to keep Washingtons post-season hopes flickering. Zimmermann became the National Leagues first 16-game winner, pitching seven solid innings to lead the Washington Nationals past the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 Wednesday night. Zimmermann (16-8) struck out five, walked one and allowed two runs in winning his fourth straight start. Ryan Zimmermans solo shot off Phillies reliever Zach Miner in the seventh inning tied the game at 2. Jake Diekman (1-4) walked the leadoff batter in the eighth, then allowed pinch-runner Jeff Kobernus to score on a fielders choice for the winning run. The Nationals sat outfielder Bryce Harper to rest his ailing hip. They are still barely alive behind Cincinnati for the second wild-card spot "We dont think were out of it yet," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. The Phillies wasted a chance to tie the game in the eighth with runners on first and third and one out. Craig Stammen struck out Darin Ruf and the ball scooted away from catcher Jhonatan Solano on strike three. Chase Utley was tagged out on a mad dash for home by a lunging Solano for the strike em out-tag em out double play. "It was a great play. Thats how we won the game," Stammen said. Zimmermann got out of his own jam in the seventh thanks to a fantastic defensive play. Cesar Hernandez hit a grounder into the hole that second baseman Steve Lombardozzi fielded and one-hopped to Zimmerman at the bag for the third out to prevent the tying run from scoring. "I knew I had to scoop it and keep my feet on the bag at the same time," the pitcher said. Rafael Soriano worked the ninth for his 38th save. Phillies starter Roy Halladay survived a miserable first inning to end up allowing three hits over six innings. Four months after right shoulder surgery, this certainly wasnt vintage Halladay. He walked five and hit two batters. He laboured through a 29-pitch first inning. But the two-time Cy Young Award winner struck out five after fanning four combined in his last two starts. He settled down after he hit or walked five of the first 10 batters he faced. And he kept the Phillies in the game. "It took me a little bit to find the right balance, mechanically," Halladay said. "Thats going to be a little bit of a battle at times." Labouring to hit 90 mph with his fastball, Halladay allowed the first three batters of the game to reach, then gave up a sacrifice fly. Wilson Ramos hit into a double play to end the rally and keep Halladay in the game. He caught another break in the sixth. After retiring the first two batters, Halladay loaded the bases with two outs. Johnson decided to leave Zimmermann in the game, instead of pinch-hitting for his starter after 77 pitches. Zimmermann was retired and Halladay walked off to an ovation. "I was feeling sorry for him the first couple of innings," Johnson said. "Then I started to hate him as he went along." Halladay left with a 2-1 lead thanks to Hernandezs two-run double in the second inning. "His innings got better with the lead," Phillies interim manager Ryne Sandberg said. "The Nationals at-bats started to change a little bit." Clearly struggling with his velocity, Halladay went with the soft stuff for most of his final four innings, and had the most effective of his three outings since returning from a rehab assignment. He is a free agent at the end of the season and wants to prove to the Phillies, or any team, that he can still be a reliable starter. Hell have three or four more starts in the final month to prove he can come close to his former All-Star form. "I think if put in the work and put in the time, I can have those results," he said. NOTES: The Nationals will start RHP Tanner Roark on Saturday against Miami, meaning RHP Stephen Strasburg will likely go Sunday on six days rest. Roark had been pitching in long relief. ... Halladay made his 100th start for the Phillies. ... Denard Spans leadoff single extended his hitting streak to 17 games, the longest for the Nationals this season. Wholesale Custom Jerseys . Yoenis Cespedes proved he can play through a hurting right heel, giving Scott Kazmir and the As a spark with a pair of RBIs that helped spoil the Minnesota Twins home opener with an 8-3 victory on Monday. Cheap Custom Jerseys Store . - Diego Fagundez scored his team-leading 13th goal of the season in the 76th minute to lift the Revolution to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Crew on Saturday night that kept New Englands playoff hopes alive. http://www.customjerseyschina.com/ .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. Discount Custom Jerseys Online . The game was the first of two international friendlies that Canada is playing during the international break, with the second game against Slovenia set for Tuesday in Celje. Canada looked uncomfortable defensively throughout the game, and every free kick that came into Canadas penalty box looked like ending up in the back of the net. Wholesale Custom Jerseys Free Shipping . -- Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh says he isnt going to change what he does on the field.LISBON, Portugal - Midfielder Eduardo Salvio scored two goals and set up another as Benfica routed Maritimo 4-0 on Sunday, restoring its six-point lead over FC Porto midway through the Portuguese league season.Salvio opened the scoring in the 15th minute from a pass by Ola John, who had substitute the injured Nicolas Gaitan.John made it 2-0 in the 53rd before Salvio got his second goal fouur minutes later.ddddddddddddSalvio then passed for Lima to score in the 63rd.Benfica lost striker Talisca to a second booking with a minute to play.Sporting Lisbon beat Rio Ave 4-0 to reclaim third place, 10 points behind Benfica.Also, it was: Belenenses 2, Gil Vicente, 0; Boavista 1, Estoril 2; Setubal 1, Braga 3; Pacos Ferreira 2, Nacional 3; and Moreirense 1, Arouca 0. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '