WASHINGTON, D.C. — Saturday was a long day in the office for Ryan Zimmerman and the Washington Nationals. They split a doubleheader with the Colorado Rockies.

The front end was a losing effort for the Nationals. Zimmerman, who was born in Washington and grew up on the Pamlico before moving to Virginia Beach for high school, did his part to keep his side in it. He blasted a first-pitch home run off of Kyle Freeland into the bullpen, scoring three runs. It marked Zimmerman’s 238th career homer, and 23rd of the season, pushing him past Frank Howard and into sole possession of D.C.’s home-run leader title.

Just for good measure, Zimmerman also drilled a solo shot in the seventh. It was his fourth RBI of the game, tying him with Tim Wallach for most RBI in franchise (Nationals and Montreal Expos) history. He also passed Wallach to become the all-time franchise leader in total bases.

It was the second time in his last three games that Zimmerman had gone the yard multiple times in a game. Zimmerman has seen his batting average dip in consecutive months. However, after only notching one homer in 32 games prior, clubbing four over the course of three games could be an indication of him beginning to see the ball like he did in the earlier portions of the season.

After starting at first base in the MLB All-Star Game earlier this month, the newly won records are an indication of not just what Zimmerman has been able to accomplish this season, but throughout his entire career in D.C. He’s been with the Nationals since making him MLB debut in 2005 — about five years before pitcher Stephen Strasburg arrives, and almost seven years before superstar Bryce Harper was a National.

The “little” Washington native has been a cornerstone in the “big” Washington before the Nationals had stars around him and championship hopes. His resurgence isn’t just a reminder of what he’s capable of, but also what he’s always been able to accomplish.