Gio Gonzalez, Nationals Look to Even Series Against Phillies

Aug 21, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher

(47) throws during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit:

-USA TODAY Sports

After a tough loss to the Phillies last night, the Nationals look to get back to their winning ways and even the series against Philadelphia tonight at Citizens Bank Park.

Gio Gonzalez (6-9, 3.83 ERA) gets the start for the Nationals as he looks to build off one of his best starts of the season. Gonzalez was dominant his last time out, throwing seven innings for the first time since July 26 while allowing no runs on four hits and striking out six. It was a good bounce-back effort from Gonzalez, as the left-hander had allowed five runs in his previous 9 2/3 innings of work.

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

In his career against the Phillies, Gonzalez is 5-4 with a 3.06 ERA and 65 strikeouts over 61 2/3 innings.

The Phillies will counter with left-hander Cole Hamels (7-6, 2.53 ERA). Hamels has been one of the best pitchers in the National League this season and has been dominant of late, posting a 2.13 ERA in his last 10 starts. The Phillies’ left-hander allowed three runs over five innings his last time out against the Mariners. 

Hamels has pitched well against the Nationals in his career, going 15-7 with a 2.54 ERA in 198 2/3 innings pitched.

Prior to tonight’s game, the Nationals are 75-55 on the season and lead the Braves by 7 1/2 games in the NL East.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:

1. CF: Denard Span
2. 2B: Asdrubal Cabrera
3. 3B: Anthony Rendon
4. RF: Jayson Werth
5. SS: Ian Desmond
6. LF: Scott Hairston
7. C: Wilson Ramos
8. 1B: Kevin Frandsen
9. SP: Gio Gonzalez

Phillies

1. CF: Ben Revere
2. SS: Jimmy Rollins
3. C: Carlos Ruiz
4. RF: Marlon Byrd
5. 1B: Darin Ruf
6. LF: Grady Sizemore
7. 2B: Freddy Galvis
8. 3B: Andres Blanco
9. SP: Cole Hamels