by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/22/2013) Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez had one of his best starts of the season Wednesday against the Giants, but ended with a no-decision in a 2-1, 10-inning victory.
Gonzalez held the Giants to a run in 7 1/3 innings. He walked Angel Pagan with one out in the eighth inning then was pulled for reliever Drew Storen. He allowed four hits and two walks, while striking out five. He threw a season-high 116 pitches.
Gonzalez, who has lowered his ERA to 3.66 with four quality starts in a row, will next start Tuesday against the Orioles.
Gio Gonzalez stays sharp in no-decision
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/18/2013) Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez enjoyed a solid performance but did not factor into the decision Friday night against the Padres.
Gonzalez, who made his ninth start of the season, surrendered two runs in the first inning and a solo home run to Jedd Gyorko in the sixth for his only damage of the night. He was charged with three runs -- two earned -- and six hits over 6 2/3 innings of work. He struck out five and walked three in a 6-5 win in extras.
Gonzalez has allowed a home run in four of his last five starts. He has surrendered just four earned runs over his last 19 2/3 innings of work. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at San Francisco. He is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in his last three starts at AT&T Park.
Gio Gonzalez back in standout form
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (5/12/2013) Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez (3-2) held the Cubs without a hit for the first five innings but ended with a no-decision woth a 2-1 loss Sunday. Gonzalez retired the first 15 batters he faced before surrendering an infield single to Dioner Navarro to lead off the sixth inning -- one of only two hits he allowed over seven scoreless innings.
Sunday marked the first time since the left-hander's season debut April 3 he did not permit a run as he lowered his ERA to 4.20 and halted a three-game stretch of allowing at least one homer. He had six strikeouts and walked one.
Gonzalez draws San Diego in his next start, Friday on the road. He limited the Padres to two hits over six innings during his lone start against them last season.
Trusting in Gio Gonzalez
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) Fantasy owners are understandably frustrated with Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez's poor beginning to the season. After looking like a Cy Young candidate in his first season in the NL, the senior circuit appears to have caught up to him in his second go around.
Gonzalez has a 4.97 ERA in his first seven starts, while averaging fewer than six innings per start.
Gonzalez has two big issues to look at when analyzing his slow start, one surprising and one not so much. The unsurprising news is Gonzalez is struggling with his control, as he walked 4.30 batters per nine innings from 2009-2011, so his 4.74 mark this season is not a huge surprise. The bigger surprise is that Gonzalez has allowed five home runs in 38 innings, after allowing just nine in 199 1/3 innings a year ago. Which one should be our bigger concern moving forward?
Gonzalez has managed to be effectively wild in his past, posting a 3.12 and 3.23 ERA in 2011 and 2010 respectively, despite walk rates greater than 4.0 per nine innings. He should be able to find the strikezone more often, but he is also the type of pitcher who can pitch around those free passes when everything is going right.
His home run rate is more than a bit surprising, as Gonzalez has never allowed a home run on more than 8.9 percent of his flyballs in a full season, as he has allowed a 15.2 percent rate so far. He is still racking up solid groundball rates, so this could just be a bit of bad luck with balls flying over the fence at an unsustainable rate.
The home runs allowed will be the more important thing to watch moving forward. Baserunners are going to get on against a pitcher with a career 1.33 WHIP, so he just has to make sure they don't score in bunches due to extra-base hits. Given his track record, I believe in Gonzalez. I would not try to sell low on him right now.
Gio Gonzalez back on winning side
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez (3-2) gave up two runs and five hits over six innings during Washington's 6-2 victory at Pittsburgh on Sunday. Gonzalez struck out five and walked one as he earned his first win in three starts on the road this season while trimming his earned-run average to 4.97.
After allowing a home run on his first pitch to Starling Marte, the left-hander quickly regained his composure and held the Pirates scoreless until the sixth inning. He also displayed improvement with his command after walking five batters in his previous outing, effectively spotting his pitches on both sides of the plate to handcuff the Pirates.
Thanks to scheduling intricacies, Gonzalez won't make his next start until May 12 against the Cubs. He is holding opponents to a .169 batting average at home this season.
Gio Gonzalez hit hard again by Braves
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez struck out nine but was hit hard for his second loss of the season Tuesday night against the Braves.
Gonzalez surrendered four runs in the first two innings, including a solo home run by Andrelton Simmons in the first. The left-hander lasted four innings and was charged with five runs and seven hits in an 8-1 loss. He walked five in 96 pitches, 57 for strikes. Gonzalez's losses have come against the Braves.
Gonzalez saw his ERA rise from 4.50 to 5.34. He next starts Sunday at Pittsburgh. He is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in his last two starts against the Pirates.
Gio Gonzalez praised for aggressiveness
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/26/2013) Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez earned the praise of his manager Thursday, after his finest start of the season in an 8-1 win over the Reds.
"He started the game a lot better," Davey Johnson told MASN.com. "He started right after them. In the previous two games, he was missing early. He was mixing his curveball, throwing some good curveballs for strikes."
Gonzalez agreed with his skipper's assessment of his performance, noting that he found success due to his willingness to aggressively go after hitters early.
"It was first-pitch strikes," Gonzalez said. "That was basically it. You try to attack the strike zone quick, especially with a team like that. You don't want to fall behind on them."
Gonzalez threw 78 of 112 pitches for strikes, and had first-pitch strikes on 20 of 27 batters.
Gio Gonzalez silences Reds
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/25/2013) Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez put a couple of rough outings behind him Thursday against Cincinnati, as he won his second start of the season.
Gonzalez tossed eight innings and limited the Reds to just one run on one hit, a solo home run by Joey Votto. Gonzalez was almost perfect otherwise, issuing just two walks while throwing 78 of 112 pitches for strikes. He added seven strikeouts, matching his season high.
Gonzalez did not need much run support, but he got plenty in an 8-1 win. He is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA through five starts. He has 27 strikeouts in 28 innings, along with 13 walks.
Gonzalez is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday against a Braves team that lit him up for seven runs in five innings in a previous meeting this season.
Gio Gonzalez hit hard again
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez had some command issues as he failed to factor into the decision Saturday afternoon against the Mets.
Gonzalez surrendered two-run singles to Collin Cowgill and Justin Turner in the fourth inning. The left-hander was charged with five runs and five hits in four innings. He also struck out five and walked four in 90 pitches, 50 for strikes.
Gonzalez has a 5.85 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. He has allowed 12 runs in his last nine innings. Gonzalez is expected to start Thursday at home against the Reds. The 27-year-old went 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts against Cincinnati last season.
Gio Gonzalez's velocity slightly down
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/15/2013) Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez has seen his velocity drop in his first three starts of the season.
Gonzalez's fastball has averaged 93.18 mph according to BrooksBaseball.net, which is slightly down from 94.08 last year. The lost velocity isn't something to be concerned about just yet. Over his career, Gonzalez's fastball has averaged 93.12 mph, so last year's velocity gain looks like the outlier. On top of that, velocity also tends to improve a bit as the season progresses. He might not be able to match last year's gain, but he could see some improvement in that area as he pitches more.
National disaster hits Gio Gonzalez
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013) Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez was tagged for seven runs and seven hits, including a pair of homers, over five innings during Washington's 9-0 loss to Atlanta on Sunday. It was the most runs Gonzalez has allowed since joining the Nationals before the 2012 season and the second straight start he lasted just five innings as his ERA ballooned from 0.82 to 4.50.
"I take the blame on this one 100 percent," said Gonzalez, who tallied a season-low three strikeouts and walked three batters. "Our job is to make sure we keep them as close as possible, and I didn't do that today. Leaving the ball up, falling behind on good hitters, they made me pay for it."
The left-hander will attempt to halt his two-game winless streak during his next projected start Saturday at the Mets. He went 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA in four starts against New York last season.
Gio Gonzalez solid vs. White Sox
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/9/2013) Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez turned in another solid outing during Tuesday's contest against the White Sox.
Gonzalez entered Tuesday 0-4 with a 5.86 ERA lifetime against the team that drafted him in the first round in 2004. The 27-year-old balked in a run with the bases loaded in the opening frame for his only mistake of the night. The left-hander was charged with one run on four hits in five innings of work and did not factor in the decision. He also struck out seven and walked two on 99 pitches, 57 strikes.
Gonzalez, who boasts a 0.82 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through two starts, will take the mound again Sunday at home against the Braves. He went 2-2 with a 4.57 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in four starts against Atlanta last season.
Gio Gonzalez wins first start of season
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez did it all against the Marlins Wednesday, pitching six shutout innings and homering to win his first start of the season. He allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out five over his 91 pitches.
The Nationals, who shut out the Marlins 3-0, posted back-to-back shutouts to open a season for just the 13th time in history. Gonzalez is set to face the White Sox in his next start.
Gio Gonzalez strikes out seven against Mets
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (3/28/2013) Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez whiffed seven and held the Mets to a hit in a four-inning shutout performance Thursday.
Gonzalez has been excellent all spring and has a 1.50 ERA in 18 innings with 11 strikeouts against three walks. His World Baseball Classic detour doesn't appear to have messed with his spring routine, as he appears more than ready for the regular season.
Gio Gonzalez working on attack plan
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/23/2013) Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez yielded a run and four hits over six innings during a 3-1 loss to the Mets in a Grapefruit League game Saturday. It was his first outing against major-league hitters since returning from the World Baseball Classic and easily represented his longest outing of the spring. Gonzalez's fastball seemed to improve as the game progressed, topping out at 94 mph.
"I was trying my best to attack the strike zone," said Gonzalez, who had three strikeouts and a walk. "I was trying to make the adjustment every inning. These guys are swinging hard, and I was lucky enough to miss some of their bats. At the same time, when they made contact, it was at some of the players."
Gio Gonzalez stays at full speed
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/18/2013) In his first outing since returning from the World Baseball Classic, Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez worked six innings against minor-leaguers Monday. Gonzalez allowed a run and seven hits in his 87-pitch outing, striking out nine and walking none.
"It’s the same here," he told The Washington Post about the competition. "You get adrenaline. It’s fun, but once you cross the line, you know it’s business. I can take it as a joke all I want, but at the same time, they’re doing stuff and they’re taking it serious. I think the minor-league side is always a good place. It’s always a reality check."
Gonzalez sharp against Puerto Rico
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/12/2013) Washington starter Gio Gonzalez took the hill for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic second round game Tuesday night in Miami against Team Puerto Rico. Gonzalez, who earned the victory, was masterful for the Americans as he went five shutout innings and allowed only three base hits. Gonzalez did not even walk a batter and struck out five for the U.S., who went on to beat the Puerto Ricans to open the second round with a win. Gonzalez has gone 2-0 in spring training over three appearances with two runs allowed over eight innings and six strikeouts.
Gonzalez rebounds in third start
by Al Melchior | Data Analyst (3/7/2013) Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez pitched three scoreless innings Thursday against the Astros in Grapefruit League play, making his third start of the exhibition season. In his previous outing, Gonzalez allowed a pair of runs on five hits -- also over three innings -- but this time around, he blanked the Astros on just three hits. Gonzalez also allowed a walk, but he struck out three batters. With this effort, he lowered his spring ERA to 2.25.
Gonzalez gives up some runs
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/2/2013) Washington starter Gio Gonzalez didn't have his best outing on Saturday against St. Louis in Grapefruit League action. Gonzalez surrendered two runs on five hits and a walk without a strikeout over three innings, though he left the game with a lead. His ERA this spring is at 3.60 for the Nationals. Gonzalez is expected to pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
Gio breezes by Mets
(2/25/2013) Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez made quick work of the Mets in his Grapefruit League debut on Monday. He worked two innings of no-hit ball, striking out three and walking one in the 6-4 win. The left-hander threw 13 of his 17 pitches for strikes. "I was just going out there, trying to pound the strike zone and try to get them back in the dugout as fast as possible," Gonzalez said. "The first inning it was like, `I've got to find my arm slot, I've got to pick up the target a little earlier.' It's not easy, especially falling behind on that lineup. These guys are not easy to face. They will make you pay if you fall behind on them."
Gonzalez passes drug test
(2/22/2013) Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez, whose name came up (and was then cleared by sources) in the Biogenesis story, told the Washington Times that he passed a drug test (blood and urine) two days after the initial report surfaced. "Like I said before, I've never taken PEDs and I never will," Gonzalez told the Times.
Gonzalez arrives at camp
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/12/2013) Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez met with reporters Tuesday as he arrived to spring training. Gonzalez talked about the allegations he was connected with a Miami-area anti-aging clinic that reportedly supplied performance-enhancing drugs to MLB players. Gonzalez said he fully cooperated with MLB's investigation into the matter and that he will be cleared of wrongdoing. "I feel very confident," Gonzalez said, per MASNsports.com "At the end of the day, I've never taken performance-enhancing drugs, and I never will."
Gonzalez to pitch in WBC
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (2/9/2013) Washington starter Gio Gonzalez has reportedly accepted an invitation to pitch for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, reports the Washington Post Saturday. Gonzalez will miss part of spring training due to the tournament.
