Zito Defends Walking Zimmerman on Twitter

Yesterday Ryan Zimmerman’s 30-game hitting streak was snapped. You know, it was actually a pretty big deal. Only 44 guys had ever reached that point. You wouldn’t know it was a big deal because there’s an obsession with performance-enhancing drugs and self-righteousness, so you probably read more about Roger Clemens’ book yesterday. (It could also have something to do with the Nationals only having 11 wins -- one of which came yesterday -- but I digress.)↵↵Anyway, Zimmerman stepped to the dish in the seventh inning against Barry Zito in a game his Nationals were leading 2-0. Runners were on second and third with one out. Zito and the Giants opted to give Zimmerman an intentional pass. Although I could only find one person who really lashed out at Zito about the free pass (at least via Twitter), Zito felt the need to defend the decision.↵

↵↵⇥For the record Zimmerman gets the IBB regardless of streak. That’s what happens when your the best guy in line up in that situation. Night↵↵↵Hitting streaks are fun, albeit relatively meaningless, but Zito was trying to win a game. Bottom line: he’s got nothing to apologize for in this instance. Zimmerman had his cracks at it and wasn’t able to carry on the streak. He even had another at-bat in the ninth inning.↵

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