Zimmerman Makes Push In Final Week

NEW YORK, Sept. 24 -- Ryan Zimmerman played in his 150th game of the year Sunday. Now, he has seven more to prove he should be the National League's rookie of the year.

Zimmerman did his part in Sunday's 5-1 victory over the New York Mets, going 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles, driving in his 101st run of the season, pushing his average to .284, slightly higher than Florida second baseman Dan Uggla (.282), perhaps his chief competitor.

Zimmerman said with a week to go, he'll have little choice but to think about the pursuit of the award.

"People keep bringing it up," he said. "But it's not like I go up there thinking, 'I've got to get a hit to get rookie of the year.' I just try to have the same kind of at-bats I've had all year."

Zimmerman now has 45 doubles, the same number as Florida rookie shortstop Hanley Ramirez, another contender for the award. Only four rookies have hit more doubles. Brooklyn's Johnny Frederick holds the record with 52 in 1929. Three players hit 47 -- St. Louis's Albert Pujols in 2001, Boston's Fred Lynn in 1975, Cincinnati's Vada Pinson in 1959.

Zimmerman played Sunday with a sore left elbow suffered while diving into the stands to make a catch on Saturday. He said it didn't affect him.

Armas Has 'Nothing' to Prove

Right-hander Tony Armas Jr. pitched six solid innings for his first win in seven starts, allowing only Jose Valentin's solo homer in the fifth. Afterward, the free agent-to-be got defensive when asked a question about whether he could use his last two starts to prove to teams that he deserves a contract next season.

"No matter how much negative stuff you guys write about us, we're just going to keep on battling out there," Armas said. "I know I've had a bad second half, but you keep going forward, and keep it positive. . . . I don't have to prove nothing. I just want to be able to go out there every five days and be healthy." . . .

Pitching coach Randy St. Claire missed his second straight game Sunday with pneumonia. He remained at a Queens hospital, and Tim Abraham, Washington's head athletic trainer, said doctors would keep a close eye on him before determining whether he could return to Washington with the team after Monday night's series finale.

"It was a lot like the flu," Abraham said. "He had a fever and had chills and had general fatigue -- just didn't feel very good."

St. Claire, 46, was admitted to the hospital Saturday evening.