Gio Gonzalez (7-9) tossed 7 strong innings, allowing just 2 hits and 1 runs to lead the Nationals to a 5-1 win over the SF Giants.  It was the Nats fourth consecutive win and their 6th win in their last 8 games to improve to 21 games over .500 at 65-44 on the season.  With the Miami Marlins games not completed as of this writing, the Nats hold a 7.5 games lead in the NL East.  Gonzalez was sharp, only allowing 2 hits through seven innings.

Offensively, Washington got an early 2-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single from Daniel Murphy and a sacrifice fly from Wilson Ramos.  Murphy, the National League leading hitter, went 1-4 with an RBI and is batting .356.  Top prospect Trea Turner went 2 for 4 with his second home run of the season.  In 81 at bats since being called up to Washington, Turner is batting .321.  Ramos went 1 for 2 and contributed 2 BI as he continued his stellar season, batting .332, Hitting his 17th home run and driving in his 61st RBI.

Sammy Solis and Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless inning each.  Since Melancon joined the club via trade, the Nats have not needed a save opportunity for the newly acquired closer.  Stephen Strasburg, at 15-1 on the season, takes the mound tomorrow and faces Matt Cain, who is 3-6 on the season.

Nats Streaks:

Trea Turner has a four game Hitting Streak, of which three of those four games have been multi-hit performances.  Over those for games, Turner is 7 for 21 in the leadoff slot for the Nationals.

Jayson Werth has a three game hitting streak.

Bryce Harper has a four game hitting streak.

Daniel Murphy has a four game hitting streak. Over those four games, Murphy is 8 for 16.  He also has a four game RBI streak in which he has driven in 5 runs.

Wilson Ramos has a three game hitting streak.  He is 6 for 13 during the last 3 games.

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