District Daily: Gio Gonzalez’ Milestone, Jerry Blevins Still Scuffling
By Kenny DeJohn
Jul 20, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
A Jayson Werth walk-off double capped the Washington Nationals’ weekend at home, and the team will move on to Colorado on Monday. Read up on all the latest team news before the first-place Nats go to work against the Rockies.
More from Nationals News
- Latest DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code in Maryland: Bet $5, Win $200 Guaranteed
- Nationals Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers
- Washington Nationals Tuesday Q&A
- A Washington Nationals Christmas Wishlist
- Robots in Baseball? The Possibility of an Automated Ball/Strike System in the MLB
Gio records 1,000th career strikeout
(Daniel Popper, MLB.com)
WASHINGTON — Gio Gonzalez entered his start in Sunday’s 5-4 win against the Brewers with 995 career strikeouts – 511 as an Athletic and 484 as a National.
It only took him 2 1/3 innings to reach the 1,000-strikeout milestone.
Gonzalez fanned Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks for the second time in the contest in the top of the third inning to cement the achievement.
“You enjoy the moment,” Gonzalez said. “When the players acknowledge it and the fans were acknowledging it, it’s a pretty special moment in your career.” Read full article here.
Blevins continues to struggle against righties
(Daniel Popper, MLB.com)
WASHINGTON — Jerry Blevins has been dominant against left-handed hitters in 2014. However, he’s fared dramatically worse against righties.
Over Blevins’s 41 appearances this season, lefties are hitting a measly .117, compiling just seven total hits. On the other hand, righties are batting .338 against Blevins — a shockingly high number that deviates from his career averages.
Blevins has been in the Majors for eight seasons. During that time, righties are hitting .250 against him while lefties have posted a .211 mark. Even more surprising, though, is that fact that Blevins fared better against righties in 2013, when righties hit .190 against him, and lefties hit .253. Read full article here.
Ramos enjoying success at the bottom of the order
(Daniel Popper, MLB.com)
WASHINGTON — Bryce Harper returned to the Nationals’ lineup on June 30 after missing two months because of a torn left thumb ligament. As a result, Wilson Ramos — Washington’s Opening-Day cleanup hitter — has been forced to move down in the order.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound catcher has batted in the eighth spot for 11 of the 12 games he’s started since Harper rejoined the team. Ramos hit seventh against the Phillies on July 11, but that was only because Danny Espinosa started in place of Ian Desmond at shortstop to give Desmond a day off.
The demotion hasn’t hindered Ramos’ production, though. In fact, the right-handed slugger has been on a tear since Harper’s return, batting .340 (16-47) over the 12 games with seven RBIs and a home run entering Sunday. His season average has soared from .274 to .295. And he extended the recent hot streak with a 3-for-4, three-RBI performance in an 8-3 win over the Brewers on Saturday. Read full article here.