BALTIMORE — When Gio Gonzalez first became a regular starting pitcher in the majors, he threw a fastball around 95 miles per hour.
“I was also 26,” he noted.
Now relying on pinpoint control and a variety of pitches, Gonzalez went a season-high 7 2/3 scoreless innings Monday as the Washington Nationals beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-0 in the first of a three-game interleague series.
It was the first victory for Gonzalez in Baltimore since 2009, when he pitched for the Oakland A’s in his second big league season.
“Is it? That is baseball for you,” said Gonzalez, now 32, who had lost his last six decisions overall to the Orioles. “When I was younger I was trying to throw it over the plate. Now I am trying to hit my spots.”
The Nationals (30-22) have now won 10 of their last 11 games on the road, and there was a sea of red-clad Washington fans at Camden Yards on Monday cheering on the surging Nationals.
The Orioles fell to 17-37 with one of the worst records in the majors.
“It feels like we play very competitive baseball wherever we go,” Gonzalez said of the road success. “It was a good crowd, good crowd in general. A bigger crowd should be tonight for the Capitals (who are at Las Vegas). Hopefully they go out and do some damage. That would be nice to see.”
Gonzalez was able to do some damage as he improved to 6-2 this season and lowered his ERA to 2.10, one of the best marks in the National League.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez raved about his lefty from Miami.
“He was outstanding,” said Martinez, wearing a red Capitals jersey once again. “Kept the balls down, threw strikes, he was really good. For me that was the best he’s pitched all year.”
With a fastball now around 90 miles per hour, Gonzalez threw 114 pitches in his longest outing since July 31, 2017 in his hometown against the Marlins when he went eight innings.
“We’ve been all over him about throwing strikes, and strike one, getting ahead of the hitters, and he’s worked adamantly on doing that and it’s been working out for him,” Martinez said. “He’s doing deep in games and he feels strong. So kudos to him for allowing us to help him and for him to go out there and doing what he’s supposed to do.”
The Nationals’ offense was paced by Anthony Rendon (2-for-5), who had a three-run home run in the third inning, and two hits each from first baseman Matt Adams, rookie left fielder Juan Soto, and center fielder Michael A. Taylor.
“I am just looking for a good pitch,” said Soto, who has played in eight games with the Nationals after tearing up three levels of the minors this spring.
Rendon has his average up to .272 after missing 14 games with a toe contusion.
“For the most part he swings at strikes and gets the ball over the strike zone, and he doesn’t miss,” Martinez said of Rendon.
Batting second ahead of Rendon, Bryce Harper went 0-for-3 but had two walks and made a nice catch up against the fence in right field in the fifth inning on a ball hit by Andrew Susac of the Orioles.
But the story of the day was Gonzalez, who was 1-6 against the Orioles entering the game.
Washington posted its fourth shutout of the season and starting pitchers have now held opposing teams to three earned runs or less in 26 of the last 27 contests.
“I was trying to keep up with Tanner (Roark) and the rest of the gang,” Gonzalez said, with Roark standing nearby. “Guys made some great plays (on defense). I expect steak in my locker, Tanner, after this.”
NOTES: Sergeant First Class Randy Wight sang the national anthem on Memorial Day. He has more than 30 years of music experience, according to armyfieldband.com. There was a moment of silence at 3 p.m. in observance of Memorial Day … Orioles manager Buck Showalter also wore a Capitals jersey before the game … Washington right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (1-0, 2.13) will face right-hander Dylan Bundy (3-6, 4.45) of the Orioles on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.