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Recap: Orioles , Nationals
 •  BT Movements
Game: 0
Venue:
Date: April 04, 2009 6:05 PM EDT
  

WASHINGTON (AP) -As they so often do, the Washington Nationals trotted out Ryan Zimmerman to represent the team Saturday night.

This time, it was for a pregame news conference before a 5-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the last spring training game for both teams.

And this time, what was different was Zimmerman sat alongside new teammate Adam Dunn. Plus, the first four questions were directed at Dunn, the 40-homer, 100-RBI guy who now will hit cleanup behind Zimmerman.

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Once the game began, Zimmerman doubled in his first at-bat. But it was another new acquisition, Josh Willingham, who got the loudest cheers at Nationals Park by driving in all of the home team's runs. He hit a grand slam in the first off Alfredo Simon and a tiebreaking RBI fielder's choice off Jim Johnson in the seventh.

For so long the ``face of the franchise,' Zimmerman now has company when it comes to drawing attention - from fans and from other teams.

``I've said the whole time, I enjoy all that stuff, but I don't get infatuated with it. I could care less, to tell you the truth,' Zimmerman said.

``I was born close to here, I lived close to here, I went to school close to here. It's a perfect situation for me. I love being that guy,' he added. ``But do I love it if other guys share it with me? Of course, because that means we're a better team.'

Both he and the team would like to get a long-term contract done that will keep him in the nation's capital for years to come.

They have been talking off-and-on for quite some time - and Zimmerman said before Saturday's game he would like those talks to end when the regular season begins.

The Nationals play the Florida Marlins in Game 1 on Monday.

``Once the season starts, it's a team thing, and not an individual thing,' Zimmerman told The Associated Press. ``The last thing I need is to be worrying about something other than trying to help us win. I truly believe that. That's how we're going to do it: Once the games start, it's over with.'

Zimmerman agreed to a $3,325,000, one-year deal just before his arbitration case was due to be heard in February.

After that, the two sides agreed to pursue something more significant.

``I have not talked to my agent in a couple days,' Zimmerman said Saturday. ``I'm sure they've talked in the last couple of days, but nothing urgent enough to get me involved. I don't worry too much about it. Both sides want the same thing.'

Team president Stan Kasten said he wouldn't object to continuing the talks beyond opening day.

``I wouldn't have a fixed deadline like that. I never have,' Kasten said.

``As of right now, we don't have anything to report. I'm not going to speculate as to when we might - or whether we might.'

The first draft pick by the Nationals after the franchise moved to Washington from Montreal in 2005, Zimmerman quickly became a focal point in D.C.

He was called up in 2005, then was runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year in 2006, quickly becoming entrenched as the No. 3 hitter and a defensive star at third base.

``I still see him - and hopefully everybody will see him for years to come - as the face of our franchise,' manager Manny Acta said. ``He's in the best shape ever. He's due for a good year. And he's going to reap the benefit of having Adam Dunn in the lineup.'

Notes: After the game, Acta announced that Austin Kearns beat out Elijah Dukes for the starting job in right field. ``We all want to play every day. That's a given,' Kearns said. ... Vying for playing time in a crowded outfield, Willingham also contributed a diving catch in the sixth, sprinting to Felix Pie's sinking liner in foul territory. Willingham begins the season as a reserve. ``I'm not happy about it, but I hope Manny is glad that I'm not happy about it,' Willingham said. ``I feel like I'm an established player and I deserve to be playing every day somewhere, but that's not how the chips have fallen so far this year.' ... Willingham started Saturday in left field for Dunn, who played first base because Nick Johnson was given the night off. Johnson traveled to Miami to be with his 5-month-old son, who was taken to the hospital with a head injury. ``He's all right,' Johnson said. ... Orioles manager Dave Trembley said he'll announce his opening-day lineup after Sunday's workout at Camden Yards. ... Baltimore's Aubrey Huff hit a three-run homer off Shairon Martis in the third. ... Simon went 4 2-3 innings, allowing five hits, three walks and four runs. ... Martis went six innings. ... The Orioles finished with 16 hits, at least one in each inning. RF Nick Markakis went 3-for-3 to end the spring with a .407 average.

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