Gonzalez tosses first shutout in win over Cards
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Gio Gonzalez tossed his first career shutout and the National League East-leading Washington Nationals posted a 10-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the second installment of a four- game set.
Gonzalez (17-7), making his first appearance against the Cardinals, scattered five hits, walked three and struck out eight on his way to setting a new career high in wins.
"I was just trying to do my best to try to minimize the damage as much as possible, but our defense made some great plays," Gonzalez said. "The offense came alive, 10 runs is a pretty good cushion."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Nationals have scored at least eight runs in each of their last three games -- all wins.
St. Louis, meanwhile, has been outscored 32-1 during a four-game losing streak.
Adam Wainwright (13-11) surrendered six runs on nine hits and walked three in 2 2/3 innings for the playoff hopefuls. The right-hander had gone 6-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last seven starts.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Definitely a loss you can pin on my shoulders, no doubt," Wainwright admitted. "I was focused, I had a good plan, I just didn't execute."
The Nationals jumped on Wainwright in the first inning as Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper scored on a single by Adam LaRoche.
Washington put up a four-spot in the third, chasing Wainwright from the mound.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ryan Zimmerman, who capped the scoring with a two-run homer in the eighth, doubled to begin the frame and LaRoche walked. After Michael Morse flied out, Ian Desmond plated Zimmerman with a base hit.
Danny Espinosa, Kurt Suzuki and Werth also contributed RBI singles in the frame.
Harper knocked in a pair with a two-out base hit in the fifth.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Game Notes
Gonzalez recorded his third career complete game ... Werth collected three hits, scored three runs and walked twice ... Wainwright had allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his previous eight outings. He was bidding to become the first Cardinals pitcher to go 6-0 in August since Matt Morris in 2001 ... St. Louis has lost seven straight games at Nationals Park ... The Cardinals placed shortstop Rafael Furcal on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain and recalled shortstop Pete Kozma from Triple-A Memphis. Kozma went 0-for-2 Friday night.