Zimmerman Backs Redding's Fine Effort

Then, in the top of the seventh, Redding issued a one-out walk to Ryan Howard, Philadelphia's slugging first baseman. That brought up Pat Burrell, a right-handed hitter who pulled a ball sharply to third. Redding was sure it was going through for a hit, and the 1-0 lead would be in serious jeopardy.

"I forgot I got a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman over there," Redding said.

Cognizant of the situation, Zimmerman said he didn't want to catch the ball on the fly. He dove to his left, smothered it in the dirt, then quickly rose to start an around-the-horn double play that finished with Redding pointing directly at Zimmerman, a combination of appreciation and admiration.

"The play of the game," Acta said.

Thus far, each Nationals' win has brought a different signature moment. It might be -- rather, it is-- early, but there appears to be a culture change in the Washington clubhouse.

"Nobody likes to lose," Zimmerman said. "We're tired of it. Does that mean we're going to go out and win 90 games? No, but we're going to try like heck to.

"I think everybody just has more of an understanding of what it takes for us to win. We had so many question marks the last couple years. This year, we finally have bona fide major league players at every position. They've given us a little more to work with, so we have a better chance to win."