Nationals open in style

The Washington Nationals couldn't have scripted it much better. Open a new ballpark with a victory, and the face of the franchise delivering the winning blow.

Ryan Zimmerman hit a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday night as Washington opened Nationals Park with a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

President Bush threw out the first pitch before the game (amid some audible boos from the sellout crowd) and the Nationals scratched out two runs in the first inning off Braves starter Tim Hudson.

Nationals starter Odalis Perez, a strange pick to start the opener, came up big on the big stage, allowing just one run - the first homer in the stadium's history, by the Braves' Chipper Jones - and held down the fort for five innings.

Photos: Above: President George W. Bush throws out the first pitch during the Washington Nationals' opening home game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park on March 30, 2008 in Washington. Below: Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals gets congratulated by teammates after hitting the game winning home-run. The Nationals won 3-2. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)