Gio Gonzalez tosses Nats to win

The Washington Nationals continue to pile up wins behind superb starting pitching. Nothing was different tonight.

Gio Gonzalez followed up a terrific start on April 12 with another fine beauty tonight. Gonzalez tossed 7 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks with 8 strikeouts to lead the Nationals to a 1-0 win over the Houston Astros. In three starts, Gonzalez has allowed just 4 runs over 17.2 innings and has fanned 21 batters.

The Nationals already led Major League Baseball in team ERA with an impressive 1.99 before tonight's shutout of the Astros.

The Nats offense only produce done run scored, but in the end, that was all they needed. That run was produced by Adam LaRoche on a 4th inning single that scored Jayson Werth. Overall, the Nats only compiled 5 total hits, while Nats pitchers limited the Astros to 4 hits.

Tyler Clippard completed an 8th inning hold, throwing a scoreless inning. Brad Lidge picked up his second save of the season, although not very easily, allowing a lead off double and an intentional walk.

The Nationals improved to an NL East Leading 9-3, climbing 1.5 games over second place New York Mets, after the Mets fell to Atlanta 8-3.