The Washington Nationals will send Gio Gonzalez to the mound in search of his 20th victory on the season, while trying to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves on Sunday at 8:05 p.m ET. The Braves will counter with Mike Minor.
Gonzalez comes into the game with a 19-7 record and a 2.93 ERA. The left-hander beat the Mets in his last start, going six innings while allowing one run on three hits. Gonzalez last faced the Braves July 1, getting the victory despite tossing just five innings and giving up four runs.
Minor is 8-10 with a 4.42 ERA for the Braves on the year. He threw 5⅔ scoreless innings in his last outing, striking out eight. He was forced to leave after throwing 115 pitches. Minor faced Washington on June 30 and, like Gonzalez, beat the division rival while giving up four runs in five innings.
After losing the first two games of this three-game set, the Nationals are 6½ games ahead of the Braves in the NL East with 16 to play.
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