Jordan Zimmermann of the Washington Nationals voted National League Pitcher of the Month for July

Washington Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann has been voted National League Pitcher of the Month for July, becoming the third different Nationals hurler to earn N.L. Pitcher of the Month honors this season, which is the most since 1979, when Houston Astros pitchers Ken Forsch (April), Joe Niekro (May), Joaquin Andujar (June) and J.R. Richard (September) all won monthly honors. This is Jordan’s first monthly award.

In six July starts, Zimmermann led qualifying Major League pitchers with a 0.97 ERA, allowing just four earned runs in 37.0 innings of work. The hard-throwing right-hander posted a 4-0 record, tying for the N.L. lead in wins, while ranking third in innings pitched and strikeouts (31). Zimmermann issued just four walks during the month and allowed a single home run. The Auburndale, Wisconsin native earned the win in his first career start in his home state as the Nationals bested the Brewers, 4-1, at Miller Park on July 28th. Zimmermann registered his Major League-leading 19th quality start in 21 outings, tossing 6.0 innings of one-run ball. The win marked the 10th consecutive quality start for Zimmermann and it was his seventh consecutive start in which he worked at least 6.0 innings without allowing more than one earned run. On July 23rd, the Nationals’ second round selection in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft allowed just four hits over 6.0 innings of work to earn the win in a 4-3 victory over the New York Mets at Nationals Park. Zimmermann earned his second consecutive victory over an N.L. East opponent after besting the Miami Marlins on July 13th. In that outing, the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point product struck out six in 6.0 scoreless innings with just one walk en route to a 5-1 win at Marlins Park. On July 8th, Zimmermann tossed 7.0 innings of three-hit, one-run ball, but did not factor in the decision as the Colorado Rockies topped the hometown Nationals, 4-3. The 26-year-old picked up the victory in his July 3rd outing, a 9-3 victory over the visiting San Francisco Giants. Zimmermann earned the win with 6.0 innings of work in which he allowed just a single earned run while striking out seven and not walking a batter. With the stellar month, Zimmermann improved his record to 8-6 on the season, and his 2.28 ERA is the third-best among qualifying Major League pitchers.

Other pitchers receiving votes included Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 13 SV, 31 SO, 14.1 IP) and newly-acquired Atlanta Braves pitcher Paul Maholm (4-0, 1.23 ERA, 26 SO, 36.2 IP). The National League Pitcher of the Month for July, Jordan Zimmermann will receive a specially designed trophy, suitably engraved, to commemorate his performance.