Zimmerman takes day off, Offense doesn't.

Write up by lucky jarmes

"The Redding Railroad returned to the District today, allowing only one run (on a solo shot to LaRoche,) over 6 1/3 innings. Redding pitched in both the exciting way in which he has been so far this season, and the surprising way in which the the Nationals starting rotation has this season. Redding, improving to 4-2 on the season, helped close out a homestand that saw the Nats post incredible pitching from the starters, and an amount of offense that we have yet to see in succession all year.I know I've called for Zimmerman to take some time off. Maybe that Formal Gala they had for the Nats last night coming into a day game finally clued him in, too. That kid needed a break. What we got in his absence was a team that started early, and answered often with more insurance runs. With a great top of the First, the top of the order did what it is intended to. It got on. Guzman and Milledge both found their way on, through a hit and being hit, and were then were each moved home by hits from Nick Johnson and Austin Kearns.The Nats continued to give Redding runs to work with in the 4th, with a home run from Aaron Boone, and answered Laroche's bomb with more runs in both the 7th and the 8th. Kearns continued to hit well this series, with his RBI single, and shows some promise to hopefully break out of his season long slump.The Nationals end this 11 game homestand, the longest of the year, 8-3. In this homestand, the split with the Mets, and proceeded to take series from the Central leading Cubs, sweep the formidable Braves, and take 3 out of four from the Pirates potent offense. They will take a day off and head to Houston, here's hoping this hot streak continues."