Gio Gonzalez has not won a game since May 28. That is over two months of no decisions and losing efforts. Today was different as he brought his “A” game. Anibal Sanchez was the original starter for the Braves, but would only last two innings as he left the game after being hit by a comebacker on his calf by Michael A. Taylor. Gonzalez, however, went seven innings, giving up one run on six hits and striking out three.
Gonzalez also helped himself out as he singled in the bottom of the third. He would later score that inning as Wes Parsons walked Juan Soto with the bases loaded. Parsons, who made his MLB debut, was hit by a comebacker by Adam Eaton. He would stay in the game but was shaky as he gave up four runs over five innings and earned the loss.
This was a must-win game for the Nationals as they tried to earn a series split with the Atlanta Braves. Washington could not afford to go to Chicago after losing three in a row. Instead, Gio came to the rescue and showed flashes of his old self. Gio only threw one bad pitch, which ended up being a home run by Nick Markakis in the second inning to give the Braves an early 1-0 lead. But Washington would storm back in the third, scoring two runs.
Washington would continue to provide support to Gio as Taylor hit a solo home run in the fourth and Daniel Murphy had an RBI double in the sixth. Ronald Accuna Jr. would not be outdone as he hit a solo shot off of Justin Miller in the top of the eighth. Washington would respond as they scored two more runs thanks to RBI singles by Ryan Zimmerman and Mark Reynolds. Ryan Madson started off shaky in the ninth giving up back to back singles by Kurt Suzuki and Charlie Culberson. Dansby Swanson hit a sacrifice fly to score Suzuki. Madson settled down and finished off the Braves.
Bryce Harper did not start today after being hit by a pitch the night before. For once the superstar was not needed, as the offense came alive after being held stagnant the previous two games.
Washington heads to Chicago to face the Cubs in a pivotal three-game series. Washington is four and a half games behind the wild card and five games behind Philadelphia for the NL East. Atlanta travels home to face the Brewers in a three-game series. Atlanta currently owns the second wild card and is one game behind the Phillies for the NL East.
Feature Image From Washington Times.
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