Gio Gonzalez dominates, leads to Nats to 3-1 win

Gio Gonzales pitched another beauty last night, increasing his scoreless streak to 20 straight inning, and continued the Nationals starting pitching dominance this season, to lead the Nats to a 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres.   Gonzalez tossed 6 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits, 2 walks, and fanned 6 batters to improve to 2-0 on the season.  He lowered his season ERA to an impressive 1.52.

Offensively, Chad Tracy came through again in the pinch hitter mode, singling in two runs in the seventh inning to give Gio and the Nats a 2-0 lead.  Tracy has 5 RBI off the Nats bench.  Rick Ankiel singled in Wilson Ramos in the ninth inning to complete the Nats scoring.  The Nationals offense continues to be suspect, only collecting 4 hits in the game.

Craig Stammen, Tyler Clippard, Sean Burnett, and Henry Rodriguez combined for 3 innings of bullpen relief, allowing 1 unearned run.   Rodriguez pitched a scoreless 9th inning, allowing no hits and walks and fanning one to pick up his fifth save of the season.

The Nationals have won three straight and improved to 13-4.  They maintained a 2.5 games lead over the Atlanta Braves in the National League East.