MLB: Washington 3, Atlanta 2

WASHINGTON, April 21 (UPI) -- Jordan Zimmermann went six strong innings Monday to lead the Washington Nationals to a 3-2 victory over Atlanta.

In his first major league start, Zimmerman (1-0) held the Braves to two runs on six hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

After a two-hour rain delay the Nationals came up with just enough offense to post their second win of the year, to go with 11 losses. Jesus Flores had two RBI and Elijah Dukes had two hits and scored a run for Washington -- which stranded nine base runners while going just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

Joel Hanrahan picked up his first save of the year for the Nationals.

Matt Diaz accounted for Atlanta's scoring with a two-run fourth-inning home run.

Derek Lowe (1-1) went six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits.