Nationals Look to Keep Rolling Against Mets Behind Gio Gonzalez

Sep 7, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (57) throws during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

With last night’s 6-2 victory over the Mets, the Nationals once again showed why they love playing at Citi Field, where they’ve won 12 straight games dating back to last June. Tonight, the Nationals look to make it 13 in a row in Game 2 of the four-game series in Queens.

Gio Gonzalez (8-9, 3.78 ERA) gets the start for the Nationals as he looks to extend his personal win steak to three games. The Nationals’ left-hander pitched well his last time out, allowing just two runs (one earned) while striking out three batters over six strong innings against the Phillies.

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In his career against the Mets, Gonzalez is 6-3 with 59 strikeouts and a 3.38 ERA in 64 innings.

New York will counter with right-hander Dillon Gee (6-7, 3.74 ERA). In his last start, against the Reds, the Mets’ right-hander threw seven strong innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits while striking out six.

Gee is 7-4 with a 3.41 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 89 2/3 career innings against the Nationals.

Prior to Friday night’s game, the Nationals are 83-62 on the season and lead the second-place Braves by 8 1/2 games in the NL East. The Magic Number to clinch the division is down to just nine games.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:

1. CF: Denard Span
2. 2B: Asdrubal Cabrera
3. 3B: Anthony Rendon
4. 1B: Adam LaRoche
5. SS: Ian Desmond
6. LF: Bryce Harper
7. C: Wilson Ramos
8. RF: Nate Schierholtz
9. SP: Gio Gonzalez

Mets

1. LF: Eric Young
2. CF: Juan Lagares
3. 3B: Eric Campbell
4. 1B: Lucas Duda
5. C: Travis d’Arnaud
6. RF: Curtis Granderson
7. 2B: Dilson Herrera
8. SS: Ruben Tejada
9. SP: Dillon Gee