6 campaign and again during the one m boss Gareth Southgate has to decide whether to continue playing Rooney deeper or push him further forward.

WASHINGTON -- Ryan Zimmerman came forward to make a head-high running catch on a slicing line drive off the bat of Chase Utley, a routine play that drew a disproportionately grand ovation from the home fans. "Thats almost the awkward part of it," Zimmerman said. "Yeah, I caught the ball. Yeah, like, I can catch a fly ball." He might have been embarrassed by all the fuss, but it was nevertheless a landmark moment in career of the player long considered the face of the Washington Nationals franchise. It was his first putout as an outfielder after more than 1,100 games as a third baseman, part of a good night all around for him and his club Tuesday in a 7-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Jordan Zimmermann rebounded from a mini-slump to throw eight scoreless innings, Zimmerman hit a pair of doubles and handled his two chances with aplomb in left field, and the Nationals moved back to .500 by taking the opener of the three-game series. "Theres nothing like getting into the first game and getting a couple of balls," Zimmerman said. "And getting a couple of hits helped, too." Zimmermann (4-2) allowed five hits and struck out four, recovering well from four middling starts that had raised his usually impeccable ERA to 4.07. He got all the support he needed when the Nationals scored three in the third inning off David Buchanan (1-2), making his third career start. "May was a pretty rough month for me, and hopefully June has better things to come," Zimmermann said. "I wanted to go nine, but eightll be good enough." Zimmerman went 2 for 4 with one RBI after being reinstated before the game following 44 games on the disabled list with a broken right thumb. Of greater interest was his move to the outfield, a switch necessitated by his throwing problems and the need for a strong hitter to play left field while Bryce Harper recovers from thumb surgery. Zimmerman said he was initially hesitant to try the outfield, but he realized his chronic shoulder problems mean his days as a regular third baseman are numbered. Ever the team player, he said he just wanted to help the club win -- even if theres likely not a Gold Glove in it for him, like the one he won playing third in 2009. "I feel like Im athletic enough to at least blend in," he said. "And not cause problems." Like many infielders-turned-outfielders before him, he learned the action isnt as fast and furious when stationed 300 feet from home plate. Playing deeper than a usual left fielder and using a glove borrowed from teammate Jayson Werth, he fielded only the liner from Utley and a shallow flyout by Marlon Byrd in the sixth before being removed for defensive replacement Nate McLouth after seven innings. There was no complaint about the lack of work. "That means our pitchers are doing a good job," Zimmerman said. "I just catch what comes to me." Its Zimmermans bat thats really needed by the Nationals, who slumped at the plate for most of last month and have been hovering around .500 in the NL East. They started hitting better in a weekend series against the Texas Rangers, however, and have scored 26 runs in their last four games. Zimmerman doubled to left in the second and to right in the fifth, and each time a black padded glove was brought to him to wear to protect his thumb as he ran the bases. Werth added a two-run double in the third, Denard Span had three hits, and Ian Desmond and Anthony Rendon homered for the Nationals. The Phillies lost their fourth straight and were shut out for the eighth time this season, failing to get any impetus from a pregame team meeting called by manager Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg addressed focus and fundamentals, but theres only so much the manager could do about Zimmermanns mid-90s fastball and debilitating slider. Philadelphia is 9-18 since May 4. "We werent able to get anything going offensively, got shut down by a good pitcher," Sandberg said. "He kind of set the tone for the game." NOTES: The Phillies optioned RHP Phillippe Aumont to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and recalled RHP Ethan Martin from Lehigh Valley. ... Philadelphia signed RHP Jason Marquis to a minor league contract. He will report to Class-A Clearwater for extended spring training. ... Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez, on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed pitching shoulder, will make a rehab start with Single-A Potomac on Friday. Ted Kennedy Jersey . The 25-year-old Brazilian player has only made four Premier League appearances for United this season and underwent a medical test in Italy on Friday. Darcy Tucker Jersey .com) - The Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings are ready to put all the talk and hype surrounding their meeting at Dodger Stadium behind them. http://www.cheapmapleleafsjerseyschina.com/leo-komarov-jersey/ . It will mark the 22nd time the tournament has been held in this country and fourth in Atlanta Canada but will make its first appearance ever in played Nova Scotia. Johnny Bower Jersey . - In about six minutes, the Memphis Grizzlies had allowed their 23-point lead to be cut to seven. Bill Barilko Jersey . Ferrer was unable to find his rhythm in losing 6-4, 6-2 to Teymuraz Gabashvili in his opening match while Nadal struggled past fellow Spanish player Albert Ramos 7-6 (2), 6-4. Nadal eventually overcame his 103rd-ranked opponent to reach the third round, rebounding from a surprise loss to Ferrer in the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals.Captain Wayne Rooney should be leading the line for England against at Malta at Wembley on Saturday, according to the Sky Sports pundits. Rooney played in a deeper role during Englands disappointing Euro 2016 campaign and again during the one match of Sam Allardyces tenure, a 1-0 win in Slovakia.Harry Kane led the line that night but he is now out injured, meaning interim boss Gareth Southgate has to decide whether to continue playing Rooney deeper or push him further forward. Danny Higginbotham tells Sky Sports News HQ Gareth Southgate has a difficult decision to make about the role of the England captain I think Rooney is at his best when he is playing up front, personally, West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill told Sky Sports News HQ.I really enjoy that - he is an iconic Premier League player when he is running around up front, scoring goals, taking games by the throat Jesse Lingard feels Wayne Rooney still has plenty to offer England Whereas sometimes, when he is in midfield, he seems to be a bit more of a passer.dddddddddddd He has his best impact up front scoring goals, for me.Danny Higginbotham says Rooney presents a tricky dilemma for Southgate.We have seen what has happened at Manchester United with him, said Higginbotham.I dont think there is any doubt that he is a fantastic player but it is about playing him in the England team and getting the best out of him and other players Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Gareth Southgate will name his first senior England side this weekend The problem he had at Manchester United is that people were saying [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, [Paul] Pogba and Rooney dont go together in the same team.The one that was always going to come out of that team was going to be Rooney, because Ibrahimovic would drop deep, Rooney would be in the No 10 role, and Pogba would be coming forward, so the three of them were getting in each others way.That is a little bit the fear of what could happen with England, because you dont want your best players in one area.It will be interesting to see the first line-up and where players do play.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! 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