Originally published Monday, March 31, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Nationals 3, Braves 2 | D.C. opener a blast

Ryan Zimmerman raised a fist when he rounded first, then tossed away his helmet as he approached the plate and the mass of teammates waiting...

By Howard Fendrich

The Associated Press

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NICK WASS / AP

Ryan Zimmerman is met by teammates after his solo home run with two outs in the ninth inning gave the Nationals a victory.

WASHINGTON — Ryan Zimmerman raised a fist when he rounded first, then tossed away his helmet as he approached the plate and the mass of teammates waiting to celebrate his game-ending homer.

The kid sure knows how to throw a housewarming party.

Zimmerman's tiebreaking solo shot with two outs in the ninth inning Sunday night gave the Washington Nationals a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the first regular-season game at $611 million Nationals Park.

"You can't really write up a script better than that," Zimmerman said. "It turned out perfect."

Braves pitchers had retired 24 consecutive Nationals batters before Zimmerman came through with only Washington's fourth hit of the game — and first since the first inning. It came on a 1-0 sinker from Peter Moylan (0-1).

"He's talented, and he's mature beyond his age," Washington manager Manny Acta said. "And he just does it. He's special."

With the dome of the U.S. Capitol lit up against the black night sky beyond left field, and the Washington Monument visible from patches of the upper deck, the new stadium provided a picturesque setting for the sort of late-game magic Zimmerman is becoming accustomed to.

Already the face of the franchise after two full seasons, he has four game-ending homers. And this one just happened to land in a section of seats behind a "Welcome Home" sign on the green-padded wall.

"It's nice to be that guy that they want up there," he said. "You take pride in that."

He certainly showed zero jitters up at the plate. A few hours earlier, meeting President Bush? Now that's a different story.

"I was nervous at first," Zimmerman said. "I didn't know what to say to him."

Unlike Zimmerman, Bush drew a fugue of cheers and jeers when he came out to throw the ceremonial first pitch to Acta. It was part of a prelude of pomp and circumstance that was clearly topped by how the evening ended.

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