Two pitchers show their stuff

By Robert Daski

Published: April 8, 2008

Shawn Hill threw his fastball and curveball.
He refrained from throwing his changeup.
Using two of three pitches did not hurt the Washington Nationals’ right-handed pitcher. He retired the first 10 batters he faced.
A start like that is outstanding for any minor league player. But Hill is looking at when he will return to Washington’s starting rotation.
On a rehabilitation assignment at High-A Potomac on Tuesday night due to tightness in his right forearm, Hill took a step toward his goal in Potomac’s 2-0 victory over Myrtle Beach at Pfitzner Stadium.
“I’m where I want to be,” Hill said. “I don’t think my arm is going to hold me back right now.”
Hill allowed four hits in five innings. He issued a walk and recorded four strikeouts.
Even with his fourth and fifth inning struggles – Hill loaded the bases in the fourth and put two of the first three runners on in the fifth – he received decent marks from someone who will decide whether Hill will soon return to Washington’s starting rotation.
“He threw the ball well,” said Washington manager Manny Acta, who attended the game with his bench coach Pat Corrales. “Overall, through the first three innings, his location and command was very good. But it wasn’t as good the last two innings.”
Acta said he and Washington officials will talk today on where Hill goes from here.
“We’ll decide what’s best for him and for us,” Acta said.
While Potomac fans saw someone who presently pitches for Washington, they saw Jordan Zimmermann, who may be in Washington’s future starting rotation.
Zimmermann pitched the final four innings, allowing two hits and recording six strikeouts in his Carolina League debut.
Potomac manager Randy Knorr has such confidence in Zimmermann, 21, that Knorr refrained from pulling him during the ninth inning.
Zimmermann surrendered a walk and two singles to load the bases and relief pitcher Adam Carr was warm-ing up in the bullpen.
“I knew he started getting the ball up,” Knorr said of Zimmermann. “I just wanted to go give him a break. I didn’t want him to just go out there and throw the ball. I wanted him to get out of the inning.” 
He did by getting Myrtle Beach’s Jon Mark Owings to ground into a game-ending double play.
The game’s runs came on Seth Bynum’s second inning two-run home run. Bynum’s home run was Poto-mac’s first long ball this year.
Carolina League president John Hopkins also attended the game.
NOTE: Washington Nationals closer Chad Cordero will pitch tonight for Potomac out of the bullpen.