Washington Nationals Rapid Reaction: Nats Can’t Capitalize Off Orioles Mistakes

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Gonzalez’s Lack Of Control Hurts Him In Loss To O’s

While Jimenez was able to get out of key jams last night, the same can’t be said for Gio Gonzalez. After the Nats could not score any runs in the first inning, Gonzalez ran into some trouble in the second. He walked back-to-back hitters (Caleb Joseph and J.J. Hardy with one out).

It looked like Gonzalez would get out of the inning with the pitcher coming to the plate, but Jimenez hit a 1-1 fastball into center field for a RBI single. Then, Nolan Reimold followed that up with a RBI single of his own as he hit a first pitch changeup into left.

Then, in the fifth, after a Manny Machado one out single, Chris Davis lined a double down the left field line. The Nats executed a good relay, but give Machado credit for somehow getting his hand to the plate before Lobaton could apply the tag. Steve Pearce would hit a RBI double of his own to left to put the O’s in front, 4-1.

All in all, Gonzalez did throw 15 first pitch strikes to the 23 batters he faced, but he was only able to get four groundball outs. While he has given up just seven runs in four September starts, it goes to show you that when you put runners on base via free passes, it will come often to bite you more often than note. The 11 walks he’s had in four outings are one behind his most in any month this season (12 back in June).

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