Gio Takes On Surprise D’backs In Series Opener

The Nationals will take on NL RBI leader Paul Goldschmidt and his Arizona D’backs.After an off day following the series against the Colorado Rockies, the Nats stay in DC to take on Arizona for a three game set.  Gio Gonzalez (3-3, 3.34) will start the opener for Washington as he looks to continue the success he has had the last two months.  It’s been a bizarre season for Gio.  In April and early May, Gio collected three wins despite having an ERA of 4.97.  Since then, Gio has had 2.30 ERA but hasn’t gotten any run support, as he has only one decision since, a May 27th 6-2 loss against Baltimore.  This season has been very different from Gio’s 2012, when Gonzalez had some of the highest run support in the league and collected a MLB high 21 victories.  Gio will look to duplicate his 2012 success against Arizona, a start in which he went seven strong innings and collected the W.  The Diamondbacks will counter with right hander Trevor Cahill.  Cahill has had a similar year as Gio. Due to poor run support, the husky sinkerballer has a  3-8 record despite a sub-4 ERA.

Lineups-Arizona Diamondbacks:

1. Willie Bloomquist, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Miguel Montero, C
5. Cody Ross, LF
6. Martin Prado, 3B
7. Gerardo Parra, RF
8. A.J. Pollock, CF
9. Trevor Cahill, RHP

Washington Nationals:
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Anthony Rendon, 2B
3. Jayson Werth, RF
4. Adam LaRoche, 1B
5. Ian Desmond, SS
6. Chad Tracy, 3B
7. Roger Bernadina, LF
8. Kurt Suzuki, C
9. Gio Gonzalez, LHP