Gonzalez delivers one-hit shutout in 9-0 Nats win (updated)

The Nationals' bats have made all the big noise tonight. But Gio Gonzalez quietly hasn't allowed a hit through six innings. Gonzalez has struck out seven and retired 17 straight as we go to the seventh. The only Mets hitter to reach base tonight was Daniel Murphy, who got on via a one-out walk in the first. Gonzalez has thrown 73 pitches, 52 for strikes. He's needed to sit through a couple long half-innings when the Nats have done some offensive damage, but it hasn't seemed to bug the left-hander much. He's been cruising, and is setting down a depleted Mets lineup with ease. The Nats have given Gonzalez a healthy 9-0 lead to work with, so the game isn't in the balance right now. All Gonzalez needs to do is go out and attack. Those watching the Redskins might be getting a little fed up with that group's effort tonight. Those fans might be interested in flipping on MASN2, where the offense has been potent and Gonzalez has been locked in. Update: Well, that was fun while it lasted. Gonzalez surrendered a single to pinch-hitter Zach Lutz leading off the bottom of the seventh, a little off-the-end-of-the-bat soft line drive that landed directly on the chalk of the first base line and skipped by Adam LaRoche for a clean single. It was a strange hit, but it was a hit. And Gonzalez's no-hit bid is now over. Gonzalez looked at first base umpire John Hirschbeck for a few seconds after Hirschbeck called the ball fair, but again, it was the correct call. Gonzalez then responded by setting down the next three Mets hitters in order to end the inning. There won't be a no-hitter tonight, but the Nats still have a dominating 9-0 lead after seven and Gonzalez is working on a gem. Update II: Can't be too mad with a one-hit shutout, can you? Gonzalez allowed just the Lutz single and two walks through nine stellar innings tonight, and finished off a shutout in a 9-0 Nats win. It only took 110 pitches for Gonzalez to get through his nine innings, and he struck out eight. He now owns two shutout wins in his career. This is the 10th shutout delivered by a Nats starter in team history and just the second complete-game one-hitter. Jordan Zimmermann also did it earlier this season. The Nats are now 20-9 in their last 29 games and have cut the Reds' lead to seven games in the wild card chase.