The Washington Nationals continue as one of the best teams in baseball while showing no signs of slowing down. Backed by one of the best rotations in the league, the Nationals have won seven straight games and look to continue the success. After Max Scherzer put together yet another impressive performance, Gio Gonzalez will take the mound to face the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Phillies were hoping to make history on Friday. Scherzer took the mound and appeared close to getting back-to-back no-hitters until Freddy Galvis hit a one-out double in the sixth innings to end the big. That broke a 41 1/3 innings shut out streak for the Nationals starting pitchers which was the second longest in expansion era. Now Gonzalez takes the mound more concerned with getting the win than continuing a lengthy win streak.
Gonzalez is now tasked with keeping the solid run by the Nationals alive as he is 3-4 with a 4.41 ERA on the season. The starting rotation is operating with a 0.53 ERA while just three runs have been allowed in just over 51 innings of play. Gonzalez's last time on the mound featured seven shutout innings while he gave up just four hits and two walks in a win to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is 7-5 against the Phillies with a 3.02 ERA in 14 career starts. Most recently he gave up just one run over six-plus innings.
Adam Morgan will get the starting nod for a Phillies team struggling to get wins.Philadelphia had a nice little run with 31 runs in three games, but they have lost their last two with just four runs to their name. The team has lost 25 times in their past 31 games. Morgan looked strong in his major-league debut giving up just one hit and a home run in five innings. He will be dealing with a slightly depleted Nationals' batting lineup. Bryce Harper is out with hamstring problems. Denard Span is out with back spasms and Yunel Escobar has a bruised left hand.
