Gonzalez (10-7) struck out 10 while blanking the Braves over six innings in Saturday's 8-2 victory. He surrendered two hits and walked four.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez came out after throwing 106 pitches over those six frames, with his spotty control being the main culprit in that elevated count. He has now surrendered at least one free pass in all but two of his 26 starts this season, but the veteran right-hander has managed to offset his propensity for putting men on base with a minuscule 0.43 HR/9 rate. Saturday's strong effort included his season high in strikeouts and was badly needed by Gonzalez, who had scuffled through a 1-3 August in which he'd amassed a bloated 5.46 ERA. The 29-year-old will continue to be counted on as a key part of the starting rotation as the Nationals make a September push for the NL East crown.

Gonzalez took a no decision Monday against the Cardinals as he allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez notched his first quality start in three outings and recovered well from a nasty three-start stretch in which he allowed 14 runs in 12.1 innings and saw his ERA jump from 3.50 to 4.11. It wasn't Gonzalez's best night, but he held his own against a strong Cardinals lineup and induced 10 swinging strikes in 92 pitches.

Gonzalez (9-7) struggled through 4.1 ineffectual innings Wednesday in a loss to the Padres, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out six.

EDGE Analysis

The bad times continue for Gonzalez, who's been tagged for 14 earned runs over just 12.1 innings in his last three outings. He'd looked like he was sort of getting it together through July and early August, but a decline in his strikeout rate combined with his ever-present proclivity for issuing walks has Gio's ERA and WHIP well higher than they've been at any time since his ugly 2009 rookie campaign. At least the lefty's missed some bats over his last two outings, but that's a small consolation when he's putting up such awful ratios.

Gonzalez came away with a no-decision against Baltimore on Friday night after allowing one run on six hits, walking three and striking out five over six innings. His scheduled start on Wednesday was rained out, so he took the mound against the Orioles in this one and turned in a solid performance. The strong outing dropped his ERA to 3.99 on the year, but he continues to only pitch as well as his command allows on most nights. He left with a 2-1 lead, but had already tossed 106 pitches (67 for strikes) and the bullpen gave up the lead.

Gonzalez will start for the Nationals on Friday, William Ladson MLB.com reports. Gonzalez's Wednesday start was rained out, so he will instead be pushed back to Friday. However, he will face the Orioles in Camden Yards rather than make a home start against the Reds. The rest of the weekend rotation hasn't been released at this point, but that should come out in the near future.

Gonzalez will not make his scheduled start Wednesday as the game has been postponed due to rain, William Ladson of MLB.com reports. No makeup date has been announced for Wednesday's rainout, and with the Nationals having a scheduled off-day on Thursday, the next time Gonzalez could make a start would be the weekend series opener against Baltimore. He has strung together consecutive seven-inning outings, allowing just one run and nine hits over his last 14 innings.

Gonzalez allowed one run on five hits, he did not walk a batter, and struck out six over seven innings of a 2-1 win against the Giants on Friday night. Gonzalez (6-4, 4.16 ERA) turned in a very solid performance with his only real mistake being a solo home run off the bat of Buster Posey in the seventh inning. With Gio, it's all about command and efficiency, and he had it in this one, needing just 82 pitches (59 for strikes) to cover the seven frames.

Gonzalez's start against the Phillies has been postponed due to rain, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports. Gonzalez was one of six pitchers Saturday to have their start pushed back due to rain, but he was the most notable of the lot. The Nationals will instead play in a doubleheader Sunday, but the starting pitchers for the two contests haven't been revealed at this point.

Gonzalez returned to form Sunday against Pittsburgh, pitching seven shutout innings and allowing four hits and two walks while striking out four. Gonzalez was efficient, too, needing just 85 pitches to get through seven frames. It's an encouraging start for Gonzalez who has struggled mightily at times this season. He'll take a 4.41 ERA and 1.49 WHIP into his next start.

Gonzalez will have his next start pushed back a day to Sunday against the Pirates, the Washington Post reports. Doug Fister is rejoining the rotation on Thursday, but the Nats elected to keep rookie Joe Ross in the rotation for at least one more start, bumping everyone else forward a day. Gonzalez has been struggling with his control lately, walking 10 batters in 15.7 innings over his last three starts, but Pittsburgh is one of the least patient teams in the NL so he could be in a good spot to rebound.