10:44 PM, May 21, 2012
Gio Gonzalez tossed six scoreless innings
on Monday as the Washington Nationals squeaked past the Philadelphia Phillies,
2-1, in the opener of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park. Gonzalez (6-1)
allowed just three hits and fanned nine while walking three, lowering his
earned-run average in the process to an impressive 1.98. Craig Stammen worked
two scoreless innings in relief and Henry Rodriguez started the ninth and
struggled with his command, but was bailed out by Sean Burnett, who collected
his second save of the year. Ian Desmond provided the offense with a solo home
run and an RBI single for the Nationals, who dropped two of three to the
Beltway-rival Baltimore Orioles over the weekend. Kyle Kendrick (0-4) was
strong on the mound in defeat, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks
over seven innings. He fanned four and retired 11 consecutive hitters
following a walk to Danny Espinosa in the fourth, but was a victim of poor ru