The talk of the Washington Nationals for the past two seasons with regards to starting pitching has been Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez, a lethal one-two punch.  Reality is a bit different.  Dating back to mid to late last season, the best pitcher in the Nationals rotation has been Jordan Zimmermann.  Last night's pitching performance by Zimmermann did nothing but back up that assertion. 

Having lost two in a row to the NL East Division leading Atlanta Braves and having lost eight straight to Atlanta, the Nationals needed a quality starting performance.  They got better than that.  They got a gem.  Zimmermann threw 8 shutout innings allowing just 2 hits all night to lead the Nats to a 2-0 shutout win in Atlanta.  Zimmermann sat down 8 Braves to strikeouts including a stretch of four consecutive strikeouts in the heart of the potent Braves lineup.  On the night, Zimmermann faced 26 batters and threw 107 pitches, 72 for strikes.  He improved overall to a healthy 5-1 with an ERA of 1.64.  Rafael Soriano sat the Braves down 1-2-3 in the ninth to preserve the shutout win and earn his 8th save of the season.  

The Nats needed the gem of a pitching performance as the Nats offense continues to struggle, managing just 3 hits on the night.  The damage came from a two run home run by Ian Desmond in the fourth inning.  It was homer number 4 for Desmond. 

Dan Haren will face Kris Medlin tonight to try and leave Atlanta with a four games series split.

Zimmermann's mound dominance ... Jordan Zimmermann's 8 shutout innings last night moved his streak to 18 consecutive innings without yielding a run.  In his last two starts, Zimmermann has only allowed 3 hits and 0 runs over 17 innings.  That's incredible pitching folks.  He has not put up these gaudy numbers against weak lineups either.  He threw shutout innings against the Braves and Reds.  He has now made three consecutive starts in which he has not allowed more than two hits.  Even more impressive, in his 6 starts this season, Zimmermann has allowed a .168 batting average against him. 

Any question on who is the 2013 staff ace?

Injuries mount . . .  Already missing Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup, the Nats lost Bryce Harper in the sixth inning with soreness to his side, one day after colliding with the right field wall and bruising his side.  Werth is out with a swollen ankle and the fact it was still swollen as of Wednesday does not appear to be postive news that he will return tonight.   Ryan Zimmerman will come off the DL today, after a rehab assignment in Potomac. 

Washington pro sports seems to thrive on sports drama in the Nation's capital.  Makes sense, given the drama that takes place in the city every day.  Perhaps the most watched drama is the recovery and rehabiliation of Redskins QB Robert Griffin III.  Thinking back to the Seattle playoff game where Griffin ripped up his knee, RG3 himself now questions his decision to stay in the game.  In fact, RG3 admitted that staying in the game was a mistake.  His comments appeared in ESPN Magazine. 

"“If I had another incident like the Ngata hit, I’m out of the game. You pull yourself out at that point. You learn from your mistakes.  “I don’t feel like playing against the Seahawks was a mistake. But I see the mistake IN IT.””

Here are you stat leaders for the Washington Nationals minor league system.  Below the leaders, we look at how top prospects in the system are faring early in the 2013 season. 

BATTING:

Doubles: Tony Renda (A) 9, Brandon Miller (A) 7, Adrian Nieto (A), Kevin Keyes (A), and Josh Johnson (AA) 6

Triples: Brian Goodwin (AA) 4, Billy Burns (A) 3

Home Runs: Chris Marrero (AAA) and Zack Walters (AAA) 6, Jason Martinson (AA) 5

Runs:  Billy Burns (A) 21, Tony Renda (A) 18, Jeff Kobernus (AAA) 17, Brian Goodwin (AA) 17

RBI:  Chris Marrero (AAA) 20, Michael Taylor (A) 19, Justin Bloxom (AA) 18)

SB:  Billy Burns (A) 11, Jeff Kobernus (AAA) and Michael Taylor (A) 8

Slugging: Chris Marrero (AAA) .646, Wander Ramos (A) .560, Josh Johnson (AA) .544

On Base %:  Wes Schill (A) .466, Wander Ramos (A) .422, Billy Burns (A) .408, Jeff Kobernus (AAA) .408

Batting Average:  Jeff Kobernus (AAA) .367, Chris Marrero (AAA) .354, Josh Johnson (AA) .344, Eury Perez (AAA) .333

PITCHING

Wins:  Blake Schwartz (A) 4, Taylor Hill (A) and Claeb Clay (A) 3

Innings:  Taylor Hill (A) 29.2, Robbie Ray (A), Yunesky Maya (AAA), and Caleb Clay (A) 29

ERA: Blake Schwartz (A) 0.71, Daniel Rosenbaum (AAA) 1.14, Robbie Ray (A) 1.55, Taylor Jordan (A) 1.59

Strikeouts:  Robbie Ray (A) 34, Blake Schwartz (A) 32, Nathan Karns (AAA) 29, Dixon Anderson (A) 27

BP Wins: Michael Crotta (AAA) 3

Saves:   Aaron Barrett (A) 4, Robert Benincasa (A) 3

BP Strikeouts: David Fischer (A) 21, Tyler Herron (A) 20,

Games:  Aaron Barrett (A) 11

BP ERA: Ian Krol (AA) 0.61, JC Romero (AAA) 0.82, Richie Mirkowski (A) 0.87, Travis Henke (A) 0.87

MINOR LEAGUE STUDS This Week

Offense:

Chris Marrero(AAA).  The Washington Nationals have been waiting for Marrero to bloom since taking him in the first round in the 2006 MLB Draft.  Stung by injuries, Marrero fell down the depth chart at first base with the emergence of Tyler Moore.  Marrero is off to a great start at AAA batting .354.  He leads the Nationals system in slugging percentage (.646) and RBI (20).  He has 3 doubles, 1 triple, and 6 home runs in 79 at bats.  Marrero is 8 for 16 over his last 4 games with 3 multi-hit games and 2 homers. 

Pitcher:

Blake Schwartz (A) has by far been the most effective pitcher in the Nats system this season, putting up damn impressive numbers early on.  After pitching in 4 games at Hagerstown and posting a 2-0 record with a 1.26 ERA, Schwartz was pormoted to Potomac.  At Potomac, he has made two starts and has not yielded a run in 11 innings.  Overall, Schwartz has compiled a 4-0 record with 1 save  with an ERA of just 0.71.  He has yielded just 4 walks compared to 32 strikeouts.  Impressively, opposing batters are hitting just .126 against Schwartz. 

Robbie Ray (A) has started off the season red hot as well, posting a 2-1 record with a 1.55 ERA in his first 5 starts.  Ray leads the Nats system with 34 strikeouts in 29 innings.  Opposing batters are hitting just .186 on Ray. 

Reliever:

Ian Krol (AA), acquired in the Mike Morse trade, has posted a 0.61 ERA out of the Harrisburg bullpen.  In 14.2 innings, Krol has yielded just 1 run.  He has allowed 3 walks and fanned 14. 

Long-time NBA center Jason Collins, last seen playing during the regular season for the Washington Wizards, has today become the first openly gay man currently playing in one of the four major professional sports leagues in North America. 

Collins, who was traded by the Boston Celtics to the Washington Wizards earlier this year, and is now a free agent, laid out the story himself in Sports Illustrated. 

I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.

I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand.

...

Why am I coming out now? Well, I started thinking about this in 2011 during the NBA player lockout. I'm a creature of routine. When the regular season ends I immediately dedicate myself to getting game ready for the opener of the next campaign in the fall. But the lockout wreaked havoc on my habits and forced me to confront who I really am and what I really want. With the season delayed, I trained and worked out. But I lacked the distraction that basketball had always provided.

The first relative I came out to was my aunt Teri, a superior court judge in San Francisco. Her reaction surprised me. "I've known you were gay for years," she said. From that moment on I was comfortable in my own skin. In her presence I ignored my censor button for the first time. She gave me support. The relief I felt was a sweet release. Imagine you're in the oven, baking. Some of us know and accept our sexuality right away and some need more time to cook. I should know -- I baked for 33 years.

When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged. I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue.

I realized I needed to go public when Joe Kennedy, my old roommate at Stanford and now a Massachusetts congressman, told me he had just marched in Boston's 2012 Gay Pride Parade. I'm seldom jealous of others, but hearing what Joe had done filled me with envy. I was proud of him for participating but angry that as a closeted gay man I couldn't even cheer my straight friend on as a spectator. If I'd been questioned, I would have concocted half truths. What a shame to have to lie at a celebration of pride. I want to do the right thing and not hide anymore. I want to march for tolerance, acceptance and understanding. I want to take a stand and say, "Me, too."

My personal view of this -- and it is only my view and not necessarily representative of my partners in this site or any of our readers -- is that I'm very happy Jason Collins has finally done this and I hope it encourages others to do the same -- until nobody needs to do it anymore. The goal is not to make a circus of gay athletes coming out of the closet. The goal is to make everyone understand that gays are a part of professional [and amateur] sports in this country and they have earned their place. They deserve to be treated with the same respect as any other athletes and allowed to sink or soar in pro sports as their talents and luck befit -- just like everyone else. 

One day, I hope, declarations like this one will not be made because it will not be necessary. Everyone will know who is gay and nobody will care because bigotry against gays will have disappeared. I hope that day comes soon. Until it does, we need more people in pro sports like Jascon Collins.

Collins comes out of the closet a week to the day after I discussed this very subject on NewsTalk with Bruce DePuyt on News Channel 8. If you missed that discussion, here it is again: 

Here is your various NHL team stats to compare between the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers.  This will be the fourth playoff meeting in the last five season.  Washington and New York skated to a seven game series last year, with the Rangers pushing the Caps out of the playoffs in seven games.  The Caps will look for revenge, this time with home ice advantage.  Here are team stats comparisons

We begin with an indepth review from the folks that specialize in the college game, the folks at CollegeFootballNews.com

SECOND ROUND

CB David Amerson, NC State (Jr.) 6-1, 205
Overall Pick No. 51 CFN Position Rank: 12
With peerless ball-hawking skills and the size and speed to match, he has the look, the talent and the attitude to be a big-time player in big-time situations. There’s no problem with his confidence, and while that got him in a bit of trouble early on last year getting beaten way too often, he settled down and turned in an underappreciated year. No corner in the draft has better ball skills or better instincts to close on a receiver, but now he has to do the work to improve. The attitude is mostly good, but he can’t get caught thinking and believing he has it all down. There’s the potential to be great, but his future will be a nickel and dime defender where he gets to roam and make something big happen on third downs.
CFN Projection: Second Round

THIRD ROUND

TE Jordan Reed, Florida (Jr.) 6-3, 236
Overall Pick No. 85 CFN Position Rank: 5
While he’s not blazing fast, the former quarterback is extremely athletic and great at making things happen with the ball in his hands. He plays faster than he times with the ability to get deep and make the big play. Powerful, he doesn’t get brought down easily and he cuts like a running back in the open field. Not a blocker, he’s never going to bury his man and he’s only going to be a receiver and a possible Wildcat/emergency quarterback, but once he gets down all the finer points of becoming an NFL route runner, he could be devastating.
CFN Projection: Third Round

FOURTH ROUND

Phillip Thomas, Fresno State (FS) 6-1, 208
Overall Pick No. 118 CFN Position Rank: 7
A peerless ball-hawker and a playmaker, an argument could be made that he was the best defensive back in college football last season with a nation-leading eight interceptions to go along with four sacks. Great with the ball in his hands, he’s dangerous at going from being a defensive star to an offensive weapon in a hurry. With great instincts he’s always in the right place at the right time and has an uncanny knack for coming up with the right play at the right time. He’s not fast and he’ll never outrun anyone, but he’s functionally athletic and makes up for his shortcomings by never taking a wasted step. He’ll need to be surrounded by more athletic and quicker defensive backs, but he can find a starting role in a secondary for the next decade.
CFN Projection: Third Round

FIFTH ROUND

RB Chris Thompson 5-7 192
Overall Pick No. 154 CFN Position Rank: Not Ranked

DE Brandon Jenkins, Florida State 6-3, 251
Overall Pick No. 162 CFN Position Rank: 6
A much stronger prospect before he got hurt at the beginning of last season with a foot injury, he’s still trying to come back and has been knocked down a few pegs because he hasn’t been able to show what he can do in workouts. He’s not as big as you’d like for a full-time defensive end, but he’s athletic enough to see time as an outside linebacker in the right system. A superstar pass rushing prospect before the injury, he holds up well against the run and cuts and moves like a much smaller playmaker. Silky smooth and extremely crafty, when he’s right he has all the ability to become a Pro Bowl caliber pass rushing specialist. Consistency has been an issue in the past and there’s a hard ceiling on what he can become without getting a lot stronger, but he could be a sensational value pick. Before getting hurt he was considered a first rounder as another possible Von Miller, but he’ll slide.
CFN Projection: Third Round

SIXTH ROUND

SS Bacarri Rambo, Georgia 6-1, 211
Overall Pick No. 191 CFN Position Rank: 9
Terrific at coming up with big plays, he’s tough, fast and aggressive to the ball with nice size and a good pop. An intimidator, in the right scheme, he should become a tone-setting force when the ball is in the air. Receivers always have to keep their heads on a swivel when he’s around. He might not be quite quick enough, and while he can hit like a linebacker, he occasionally covers like one, too. Yes, he’ll apply the big shot to the receiver, but he’s just okay when it comes to stepping up against the run. He was suspended for stretches including the season and has to answer a few questions after a failed drug test, but the off-the-field issues aren’t that big a deal.
CFN Projection: Third Round

SEVENTH ROUND

RB Jawan Jamison, Rutgers (Soph.) 5-7, 203
Overall Pick No. 228 CFN Position Rank: 12
The lazy will try to make comparisons to Ray Rice because he’s small, squatty and went to Rutgers – he’s not nearly the same player. There’s no power whatsoever, but he’s tough, hard to find through the line and cuts quickly and decisively as he flies through the hole. While he’s a good football player, he’s not an athlete and doesn’t have the elite quickness to be a specialty back, but he can handle the workload and won’t have any problems getting plenty of work for long stretches. He could turn into a solid No. 2 back who can be used for long stretches and not worried about – he’ll always find a way to go forward and isn’t going to fumble.
CFN Projection: Fourth Round

For draft grades from ESPN, Mel Kiper and Rotoworld, CONTINUE READING!

The Redskins have begun signing undrafted free agents and this is a list DC Pro Sports Report has put together from various sources. It should not be considered official at this time and will be updated as necessary. I'll have a few thoughts on some of the players after the table. Read on.

I don't know too much about these players, apart from a couple. The first name that sticks out is Xavier Nixon. [Pictured above.] I'm quite suprised he didn't get drafted and thought he would be an excellent selection for the Redskins in the NFL Draft. He's a huge man who I think can play right tackle in the NFL. He's hardly perfect -- or he would have been drafted -- but he's got great size and real talent. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he makes the team, or at least the practice squad. 

Here is ESPN on Xavier Nixon: 

Here is the NFL on Xavier Nixon: 

ANALYSIS

The depth of the 2013 NFL draft is reflected by the wealth of talented undrafted free agents. Nothing official yet, but here are a few and where they appear to be headed.

Again these are unofficial until they are announced by the teams. General Managers began calling around soon after the draft resumed this afternoon to begin "recruiting" and/or negotiating with potential undrafted free agents.

The Redskins have reportedly come to terms with Florida offensive tackle Xavier Nixon, there are others rumored to have signed with Washington, but none with much hope of making the team. Nixon was one of the most decorated and hotly recruited high school offensive lineman as a high school senior, but "underachieved" in Gainesville. The 6'6" 315 pound Nixon was talented enough to start a game at left tackle as a true freshman for then Gators Head Coach Urban Meyer.

QB Tyler Bray Tennessee (Dolphins)

QB Colin Klein Kansas State (Texans)

QB Matt Scott Arizona (Jaguars)

QB Jordan Rodgers Vanderbilt (Jaguars)

RB Cierre Wood Notre Dame (Texans)

RB Ray Graham Pittsburgh (Texans)

RB Stefphon Jefferson Nevada (Titans)

RB Onterrio McCalebb Auburn (Bengals)

RB Michael Ford LSU (Bears)

RB Zach Line SMU (Vikings)

RB Lonnie Pryor Florida State (Jaguars)

WR Russell Shepard LSU (Eagles)

WR Connor Vernon Duke (Raiders)

WR TJ Moe Missouri (Patriots)

WR Da'Rick Rogers Tennessee Tech (Bills)

TE Philip Lutzenkirchen Auburn (Rams)

TE Joseph Fauria UCLA (Lions)

TE Ryan Otten San Diego State (Jaguars)

OL Graham Pocic Illinois (Texans)

OL Emmett Cleary Boston College (Colts)

DL Damion Square Alabama (Eagles)

DL Kwame Geathers Georgia (Chargers)

LB Keith Pugh Howard (Bills)

LB Bruce Taylor Virginia Tech (Bengals)

LB Kevin Reddick North Carolina (Saints)

LB Chase Thomas Stanford (Saints)

CB Josh Johnson Purdue (Chargers)

CB Nickell Robey USC (Bills)

CB Travis Howard Ohio State (Texans)

FS Tony Jefferson Oklahoma (Cardinals)

SS Robert Lester Alabama (Panthers)

P    Brad Wing LSU (Eagles)

In the 7th round of the 2013 NFL Draft, with the 228th pick overall, the Washington Redskins selected RB Jawan Jamison from Rutgers. 

This is the second time in this draft the Redskins have selected a running back, having taken Chris Thompson of Florida State in the 5th round.

Here is what Steve Muench of ESPN/Scouts Inc. thinks of the Jamison pick: 

WAS getting RB Jamison excellent pick. Don't care about size speed. Durability more of a concern but tape is great when healthy #2013DRAFT

— Steve Muench (@MuenchESPN) April 27, 2013

Here is the ESPN scouting report on Jamison: 

Below are video highlights of Jawan Jamison: 

With the 23rd pick in the 6th round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the 191st pick overall, the Washington Redskins selected Georgia safety Baccari Rambo. The Redskins say Rambo is more of a free safety and Rambo, while asserting he can play both safety positions, agreed he is more of a free safety. "Whatever will help the team," said Rambo. "It's all about the team now, I can play both."

A three year starter for the Bulldogs, Rambo started getting a lot of national attention in his junior season when he picked off eight passes. He was named first team All-American and All-SEC after his junior year. His senior season was more of a roller coaster and it didn't start well when he was suspended for four games, but he still made 73 tackles and intercepted 3 passes.

Rambo has decent size -- 6'00" and 210 pounds -- and good speed, running the 40 in about 4.53.

Rob Rang of CBS Sports compares Rambo to safety Dashon Goldson, a Pro Bowler this past season who moved in free agency from San Francisco to Tampa Bay:

Like the 49ers' standout free safety, Rambo has a tendency to make splashy plays as a pass thief and intimidating hitter but is prone to an occasional breakdown. If he can tighten up his game (and his off-field decision-making) Rambo has the talent to earn Pro Bowl consideration, just as Goldson has done for the 49ers.

Rambo suffered terrible personal loss last year during the season, when his unborn child died of pregnancy complications. Rambo decided to play that week anyway and had one of the best games of his career, picking off two passes, breaking up another pass and making four tackles. The performance earned him National Defensive Back of the Week by the College Football Performance Award.

Here is how the NFL Draft profile of Rambo reads: 

Below is a video highlight compilation of Baccari Rambo.