Joe Mauer Goes 4-for-5 in Twins' Win; Ryan Zimmerman Drives in Four for Nationals

Players of the Day for Monday, April 15, 2013

American League

Mauer: 4-for-5

Not much has been heard from Minnesota this season, probably because until Monday, they had only won four games, but Joe Mauer made a bit of noise with four hits in five at-bats in the Twins' 8-2 win over the Angels.

Speaking of quiet, the Angels aren't exactly blowing off firecrackers at 4-9.

Mauer rapped out a couple of singles, a double and a homer, scored twice and drove in three runs, raising his batting average to .346, which is about where he's likely to finish at the end of the season.

Mauer won the AL batting title in 2006, 2008 and 2009, batting .327, 3.48 and .365, respectively.

The Twins improved to 5-7 and have two more games at home with the Angels, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ryan Zimmerman

National League

After being swept by the Braves, the Washington Nationals needed to get back to winning, so there probably was no better place to do that than in Miami, where the Marlins have won only once in seven games this season.

Jordan Zimmermann tossed a complete game for his third win without a loss and Ryan Zimmerman drove in four runs as the Nats hammered the Marlins, 10-3.

Zimmerman had been off to a slow start, batting just .208 entering the game, but went 2-for-5 with his first home run of the season in the fourth inning with a man aboard and also singled in a run. He got one more home with a sac fly.

The Nationals are 8-5, tied with the Mets for second place in the NL East. Both are trailing the 11-1 Braves by 3 1/2 games.