With a first-inning RBI single on Tuesday night, Ryan Zimmerman broke a tie with Tim Wallach to become the all-time leader in hits for the Expos and Nationals franchises. He had been tied with Wallach at 1,694 career hits. Wallach acrrued his hits over parts of 13 seasons with the Expos from 1980-92; Zimmerman has had 14 seasons in the majors, all with the Nationals, dating back to 2005. His last five have been mostly shortened by injuries.
Entering Tuesday’s action, Zimmerman was hitting a lackluster .226/.285/.414 with five home runs and 18 RBI in 144 plate appearances. He missed time between May 10 and July 19 due to an oblique strain.
Zimmerman appeared to have regained his past form, finishing last year with a .930 OPS and making his first All-Star team since 2009. He hit 36 home runs and knocked in 108 runs in 144 games. The Nationals, who have Zimmerman under contract for at least one more year, hope he is able to once again rediscover that bat.
