Washington Nationals Team Report

INSIDE PITCH Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman isn't barely extending the longest hitting streak in the majors in two years. He is absolutely crushing the ball and is finally getting recognition around the country for it. With a 4-for-5, two-homer performance Monday night in San Francisco, Zimmerman's streak reached 29 games. It's the longest run in the majors since Moises Alou hit in 30 straight games in 2007, and it's closing in on the longest streak in Washington baseball history (33 games, by Heinie Manush in 1933). Zimmerman, batting .363, continues to shrug off his success and is trying not to buy into the hype. But his Nationals teammates and coaches are growing more and more impressed each day the streak is extended. "It's helping put him on the map and our organization in a positive note," manager Manny Acta said. "Hopefully he can continue to do it. But (it's) most important that he does it while he continues to help us win ballgames." GIANTS 11, NATIONALS 7: A complete meltdown by starter Daniel Cabrera highlighted Washington's second straight loss when scoring at least seven runs. Left fielder Josh Willingham's error on a routine flyball prolonged the fifth inning, but Cabrera added fuel to the fire by following the fielding mistake with four straight walks, two with the bases loaded. Logan Kensing then entered and issued a bases-loaded walk of his own to cap the five-run inning. Ryan Zimmerman went 4-for-5 with two homers and extended his hit streak to 29 games in the losing effort.NOTES, QUOTESOF Lastings Milledge broke his right ring finger trying to bunt a pitch at Class AAA Syracuse and will be placed on the disabled list. Milledge is scheduled to be examined by a hand specialist in Baltimore on Tuesday, with the diagnosis determining how much time he will miss. Either way, this is a tough blow to the 24-year-old outfielder, who was demoted to the minors only one week into the season and has been trying to work his way back. "At the early stage of his career, whenever you miss a chunk of at-bats, it retards your progress a little bit," acting GM Mike Rizzo said. "He had things to work on. He was just starting to come around swinging the bat a little bit."BY THE NUMBERS: 4 Homers hit by Adam Dunn over the weekend in Arizona, the most ever by a Nationals player in a single road series.QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's just one of those feelings like when you're going down really fast in an elevator and you feel your stomach go out from underneath you. It's like that feeling. I had no idea where this ball's going to go." Left-hander Mike Hinckley, on losing his grip on a pitch and throwing it to the backstop on the fly.ROSTER REPORT3B Ryan Zimmerman's hitting streak reached 29 games Monday night when the young third baseman lined a single to center off Giants LHP Randy Johnson in the top of the first inning and then went on a complete tear en route to a 4-for-5, two-homer night. Zimmerman had never faced Johnson before and looked foolish swinging at one of the "Big Unit's" trademark sliders. But he connected on the next pitch for a clean single up the middle to extend a hitting streak that is starting to gain some national attention. It's the longest in the majors since OF Moises Alou hit in 30 straight games in 2007. C Jesus Flores was out of the Nationals' lineup Monday for the second straight day. Flores is still feeling the effects of a foul tip that left him with a deep bruise on his right shoulder. The young catcher is hoping to return to play Tuesday against the Giants, but the club will watch him closely to determine whether he's ready or not. C Wil Nieves has started in his place behind the plate.RHP Daniel Cabrera's place in the Washington rotation could be tenuous. The struggling right-hander melted during a wretched outing Monday night in San Francisco, following up a costly error by OF Josh Willingham by issuing four straight walks (two with the bases loaded). Cabrera, signed to a $2.6 million contract last winter, is 0-4 with a 4.98 ERA, and the Nationals are 0-7 in games he's started. Manager Manny Acta insisted the 27-year-old remains in his rotation, but time could be running out for Cabrera to get back on track.RHP Logan Kensing continues to struggle out of the Washington bullpen. Kensing allowed two more runs Monday night against the Giants and walked the first batter he faced with the bases loaded to force in a run. The right-hander, claimed off waivers from Florida on April 29, has a 13.14 ERA in 12 games this season. MEDICAL WATCH: C Jesus Flores (bruised right shoulder) left the May 9 game, and he did not play May 10. He is day to day. 1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. He was expected to begin a 20-day rehab stint with Class AAA Syracuse in early May. RHP Terrell Young (inflamed right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He started a throwing program at extended spring training in early April. OF Roger Bernadina (broken right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 19, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 29. He had surgery April 18, and he will miss a minimum of two months before beginning a rehab assignment. LHP Matt Chico (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2008) went on the 60-day disabled list March 28. He will miss at least the first half of the season. ROTATION: LHP John Lannan LHP Scott Olsen RHP Daniel Cabrera RHP Shairon Martis RHP Jordan Zimmermann BULLPEN: LHP Joe Beimel RHP Julian Tavarez RHP Kip Wells RHP Joel Hanrahan RHP Garrett Mock RHP Logan Kensing LHP Ron Villone CATCHERS: Jesus Flores Wil Nieves INFIELDERS: 1B Nick Johnson 2B Anderson Hernandez SS Cristian Guzman 3B Ryan Zimmerman INF Ronnie Belliard INF Alex Cintron OUTFIELDERS: LF Adam Dunn CF Elijah Dukes RF Austin Kearns OF Josh Willingham OF/2B Willie Harris