SB Nation DC - Braves Vs. Nationals: Gio Gonzalez Shaky In 3-2 Washington Loss

Braves Vs. Nationals Recap: Atlanta Rallies For 3-2 Win

2012-06-03T20:28:54Z

Despite jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, the Washington Nationals could not hold off the Atlanta Braves who downed the Nats 3-2 at Nationals Park Sunday afternoon.

Steve Lombardozzi and Bryce Harper led off the game with back-to-back home runs, but the Nats offense fell silent afterwards. They mustered just four hits off of Atlanta the rest of the afternoon. Braves starter Tommy Hanson settled down after being shaky for the first two batters, going seven innings and striking out six.

Gio Gonzalez had a rare lapse on the mound today for the Nats, going just 4.2 innings and allowing seven hits and three earned runs. Gonzalez's start was plagued by timely hitting from the Braves, as Dan Uggla pulled the Braves within a run with an RBI double in the third inning. In the fifth, Jason Heyward gave the Braves the lead with a two-run single.

Eric O'Flaherty and Craig Kimbrel came out of the bullpen to preserve the victory for the Braves.

For more Nationals coverage and conversation, visit Federal Baseball, SB Nation's Nats blog. For the Braves perspective, check out Talking Chop. For news and updates from the Nationals series against Atlanta, stay tuned to this StoryStream from SB Nation DC. Still not enough baseball for you? Head on over to SB Nation's MLB Hub Page, Baseball Nation, for all the latest news from all 30 MLB teams.

May Accolades For Nationals Bryce Harper, Gio Gonzalez

2012-06-03T17:57:21Z

The Washington Nationals have opened the 2012 campaign playing tremendous baseball, with stellar performances coming both on the mound and at the plate. This early-season success has led to the collection of some hardware by Nats players, in the form of National League monthly awards. The month of May saw two more Washington players recognized for their excellence on the field, Bryce Harper and Gio Gonzalez. Via @NationalsPR:

Gio (Pitcher of the Month; 5-0, 2.25 ERA) & Bryce (Rookie of the Month; .271, 5 2B, 4 3B, 4HR, 10RBI, 13BB) earn NL's May monthly awards.
— Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) June 3, 2012

Gonzalez's pitcher of the month award follows teammate Stephen Strasburg's selection as the recipient in April. As Mark Zuckerman of CSNwashington.com notes, the Nationals have now won more monthly league awards in two months of 2012 than in the previous seven years combined.

Braves Vs. Nationals: Lefty Reliever Mike Gonzalez Called Up For Sunday's Contest

2012-06-03T15:20:22Z

It appears the Washington Nationals have added some left-handed help to their bullpen for Sunday's contest against the Atlanta Braves. Via William Ladson of MLB.com:

The #Nats are calling up reliever Mike Gonzalez from the Minor Leagues. #MLB
— William Ladson (@washingnats) June 3, 2012

Gonzalez was signed in early May by Washington to add bullpen depth. The veteran 34-year-old lefty has 56 career saves and posted a 4.39 ERA in 53 1/3 innings for the Orioles and Rangers last season.

The promotion of Gonzalez likely means right-handed reliever Ryan Perry is headed down to the minors.

Braves Vs. Nationals Lineups: Michael Morse Again Batting Fifth, Playing Rightfield

2012-06-03T15:09:57Z

The Washington Nationals take the field on Sunday looking to take down the Atlanta Braves and complete a rain-shortened two-game weekend sweep. Early-season Cy Young candidate Gio Gonzalez will be on the hill for Washington. Here is today's Nationals lineup, via Mark Zuckerman of CSNwashington.com:

#Nats vs #Braves: Lombardozzi 7, Harper 8, Zimmerman 5, LaRoche 3, Morse 9, Desmond 6, Espinosa 4, Flores 2, Gonzalez 1.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) June 3, 2012

The Nationals have taken six straight games from Atlanta, four this season. In those six contests, Washington has outscored Atlanta 31-11.

Braves Vs. Nationals: Gio Gonzalez Looks To Win Sixth Straight Start

2012-06-03T12:24:07Z

The Atlanta Braves (28-25) have likely had just about enough of the Washington Nationals (30-21) already this season, in particular the arms on the mound that continue to dominate the Braves bats. A day after Stephen Strasbug shut down Atlanta 2-0, co-ace of the Washington rotation Gio Gonzalez will take the mound, looking to win his sixth consecutive start.

The Nationals have taken six straight games from Atlanta, four this season. In those six games, the Nationals have outscored the Braves 31-11. Overall, Atlanta has lost nine of their last 11 games to fall six games behind Washington in the NL East standings.

Gonzalez (7-1, 2.04 ERA) will be facing an Atlanta ballclub he defeated just one week ago, 7-2 at Turner Field. In that start, Gonzalez went seven strong innings, striking out ten and allowing just two runs on one hit and three walks.

Tommy Hanson (5-4, 3.84 ERA) gets the start for Atlanta. Hanson is 4-2 with a 2.41 ERA this season in seven road starts. He has not fared well recently, however, against the Nationals, compiling an 0-3 record with a 4.73 ERA in his last five starts against Washington.

Michael Morse Season Debut: Left Fielder Goes Hitless For Nationals

2012-06-03T00:28:18Z

Last season, Washington Nationals left fielder Michael Morse finished with 31 home runs and 95 RBIs, while batting .303, placing him in the top-10 of the National League in each category. But Morse suffered a strained lat muscle during spring training last March, and as a result, was forced to miss the first 50 games of this season.

Batting fifth, the Florida native was back in the lineup at last on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves -- a 2-0 win for the Nats, as they improved to 30-21 on the season.

Morse, though, went just 0-for-4 in his season debut. He was eventually pulled during the top of the ninth inning with two outs remaining.

"He looked good," Washington manager Davey Johnson told reporters afterward. "I said, ‘Don't get the idea that I'm gonna be defending for you,' but it worked out just perfect. He got four at-bats, and he should be fresh for [the next game]."

For more Washington Nationals coverage and conversation, visit Federal Baseball, SB Nation's Nats blog. For the Braves perspective, check out Talking Chop. For news and updates from the Nationals series against Atlanta, stay tuned to this StoryStream from SB Nation DC.

Braves Vs. Nationals Final Score: Stephen Strasburg Pitches Seven Shutout Innings In 2-0 Win

2012-06-02T23:18:08Z

Stephen Strasburg (6-1) struck out nine in seven innings during the Washington Nationals' 2-0 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday at Nationals Park. Strasburg gave up just four hits and no walks on 90 pitches before he was relieved by Sean Burnett. Washington improved to 30-21 with the win, and remain one game ahead of the New York Mets atop the NL East.

Brandon Beachy (5-4) was solid on mound for the Braves, if not quite up to Strasburg's standard. He gave up both earned runs off three hits and four walks while striking out six in 6 1/3 innings of work. He gave up a solo home run to Jesus Flores in the fifth inning, however, for what would prove to be the game-winning run. Xavier Nady added to the Nats' lead with a double in the seventh inning to score Danny Espinosa.

Flores' homer was just his second on the year. He was walked in his only other appearance at the plate. Bryce Harper was walked twice and had a single to left field.

Game 3 of the series will be played at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, and will pit Gio Gonzalez (7-1) against the Braves' Daniel Bard (5-5) at the mound.

Braves Vs. Nationals: Michael Morse Making Season Debut On Saturday, Batting Fifth

2012-06-02T17:31:14Z

Michael Morse will be making his season debut Saturday for the Washington Nationals when they face the Atlanta Braves. Morse, sidelined to start the 2012 season because of a strained lat suffered in spring training, will be batting fifth and playing right field. Today's Washington lineup, via @NationalsPR:

Today's lineup: Lombardozzi, lf; Harper, cf; Zimmerman, 3b; LaRoche, 1b; Morse, rf; Desmond, ss; Espinosa, 2b; Flores, c; Strasburg, p
— Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) June 2, 2012

Last season, Morse led the team with 31 home runs and 95 runs batted in.