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WASHINGTON -- Coming off one of his worst outings of the season, Washington starter Jordan Zimmermann surrendered a pair of first-inning hits against Colorado on Thursday night. That only gave the Rockies false hopes. Zimmermann pitched eight innings to win his 10th game, Adam LaRoche had three hits including a two-run triple and the Nationals spoiled Roy Oswalts return to the majors with a 5-1 win over the Colorado on Thursday night. Ian Desmond homered for the second straight game and Denard Span and Steve Lombardozzi added a double and a single apiece for Washington, which began a stretch in which it will play 14 of its next 17 games at home. "What a game he pitched. We needed it," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said of Zimmermann. "(After an) 11-inning game last night, that was a Godsend." Zimmermann (10-3) allowed an unearned run on six hits, returning to form after surrendering six runs and eight hits in five innings Saturday in Cleveland. "I felt like I threw the ball well and had good fastball command, my slider was good and I got a big strikeout in the last inning there on a changeup," Zimmermann said. "I was throwing strikes and getting ahead of guys. I know theyre an aggressive team and that kind of works in my favour. Throw some first pitch strikes and let them hit the ball." Zimmermann retired 16 straight in one stretch, throwing 112 pitches -- 85 for strikes -- while fanning nine and walking one. Colorado finally got to Zimmermann in the eighth. Pinch hitter Josh Rutledge singled, Anthony Rendon committed a throwing error after fielding Tyler Colvins grounder and Rutledge ended up on third. DJ LeMahieu singled to score Rutledge, but Zimmermann struck out Carlos Gonzalez on a changeup and Michael Cuddyer to end the threat. "Hes starting throwing it more often, he started to get more confidence and now its a pretty good pitch," catcher Kurt Suzuki said of Zimmermanns changeup. Oswalt (0-1) went five innings in his Colorado debut, allowing four runs on nine hits. He struck out 11 and didnt walk a batter. "I felt strong," Oswalt said. "Overall felt pretty well, just, its hard to say this, but really too many strikeouts. Kind of got my pitch count up and I was trying to get deeper into the game." The 35-year-old right-hander was signed to a minor league contract May 2, and went 3-2 with a 2.16 ERA in five starts for Double-A Tulsa before being called up. "I thought Roy threw the ball extremely well, punched out 11 in five innings," Colorado manager Walt Weiss said. "Plenty of stuff, plenty of arm, a really good fastball. I thought he had a few tough breaks, the line could have been better than what it showed." Todd Helton and LeMahieu had two hits for the Rockies, who have lost the first four games of a nine-game road trip and fell to .500 for the first time since April 2. Desmond, who hit a grand slam in the 11th inning of Wednesdays 6-2 win at Philadelphia, homered his first time up Thursday night to put Washington ahead 1-0 after two. LaRoche led off the Washington fourth with a single. After Oswalt fanned Jayson Werth and Desmond, Lombardozzi singled. Kurt Suzuki then hit a grounder between third and short that shortstop Jonathan Herrera managed to deflect. Herrera retrieved the ball in short left, but LaRoche raced around from second and was safe on a close play at home to make it 2-0. "That feels good, when youve been lining out at people to get a hit like that feels nice," Suzuki said. LaRoche provided some insurance in the fifth when he tripled with one out, scoring Span and Rendon. Zimmermann drove in the Nationals fifth run with a sacrifice fly -- the first of his career -- in the sixth. Washington, which began play second in the NL East, won its second straight and picked up a game on division leader Atlanta. "Obviously its nice to pick up a game," LaRoche said. "We need to get ourselves on track and play some consistent ball. I dont need to tell you weve been way too streaky." NOTES: Johnson said before the game that OF Bryce Harper (left knee bursitis) ran in the outfield Thursday and was going to take swings in the indoor batting cage as he nears a rehabilitation assignment. "Hes close," Johnson said. "If it doesnt swell up tomorrow, as far as Im concerned, he can play some.". Cuddyer extended his hitting streak to 18 games. ... Washington OF Roger Bernadina, who missed Wednesdays game with eye irritation, entered the game in the ninth. ... To make room for Oswalt, the Rockies optioned LHP Jeff Francis to Triple-A Colorado Springs and designated RHP Chris Volstad, who was at Colorado Springs, for assignment. Rockie CF Dexter Fowler (right ring finger) missed his third straight game. ... Colorado RHP Tyler Chatwood (4-1, 2.33) opposes Stephen Strasburg (3-6, 2.50) Friday. 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After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Mike Bibby Jersey . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. The 21-year-old has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in 24 games with the American Hockey Leagues Oklahoma City Barons this season. A look at whats happening all around the majors Monday:---DIVISION DUST-UPJosh Donaldson and the first-place Blue Jays roll into a pivotal series at AL East-rival Baltimore. Donaldson had his first three-homer game Sunday in a 9-6 win that gave Toronto a sweep of Minnesota. Fans in Canada threw caps onto the field to celebrate the home run hat trick. The Blue Jays hold a slim lead in the division over the Red Sox and Orioles.MINUS ONERick Porcello (17-3, 3.23 ERA) tries to become the first 18-game winner in the majors when the Red Sox host the Rays. Boston will be without second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who left the team Sunday night following a death in the family. The Red Sox did not put him on the bereavement list, though, and hes expected to return Tuesday.TUESDAY MORNING IN JAPANRangers right-hander Yu Darvish and Mariners opponent Hisashi Iwakuma both came to the big leagues before the 2012 season. They will start against each other in the majors for the third time -- and first since April 2013 -- in the opener of a three-game series between AL West rivals. Darvish and Iwakuma split their previous two meetings in the majors, with each winning at home. They squared off six times in Japaan, with Darvish earning three wins and Iwakuma two.ddddddddddddACE IS UPCubs right-hander Jake Arrieta (16-5, 2.62 ERA), leading the NL in wins, opens a seven-game homestand against the Pirates. Last time out, Arrieta gave up two hits in eight scoreless innings to beat San Diego.TALL ORDERIn his first major league start this season, Mets right-hander Rafael Montero faces All-Star ace Jose Fernandez (13-7, 2.91 ERA) and the Marlins in the opener of an important four-game series between wild-card hopefuls at Citi Field. Set to be recalled from Double-A Binghamton, Montero was tabbed to fill in for Jacob deGrom, who is skipping a turn to regroup from two poor starts. Miami, however, scored only 13 runs on the 2-4 homestand it just completed.IMPERFECT 10The Twins have lost a season-worst 10 consecutive games heading into their series at first-place Cleveland. Left-hander Hector Santiago (10-8, 5.16 ERA), who starts the opener, has not pitched since Aug. 20 because of a sore left thumb. Minnesota has allowed eight or more runs in a franchise-high six straight games. ' ' '