Zimmermann Impressive But Nationals Rally To Top Tigers, 8-4

CARL KOTALA, Associated Press

VIERA, Fla. (AP) — Jordan Zimmermann retired eight of his first nine batters in his Detroit debut against his former team, and the Tigers went on to an 8-4 loss to the Washington Nationals on Saturday.

Zimmermann yielded a two-out hit to Pedro Severino in the third inning before being replaced by Bruce Rondon, who gave up a two-run homer to Ben Revere.

Zimmermann made his major league debut with Washington in 2009 and played for the Nationals for seven seasons before signing a $110 million, five-year contract with Detroit over the winter.

Washington starter Stephen Strasburg struck out five but gave up the first of Bryan Holaday's two two-run homers in the second inning. Holaday also connected against A.J. Cole and is 6 for 8 with three homers and eight RBIs this spring.

Matt Skole also hit a two-run homer for Washington. Scott Sizemore had a solo shot.