Gonzalez lifted after five innings (Nats win 2-1)

The Diamondbacks used the long ball to jump out ahead in the top of the first. With one out, Chris Owings took a 2-1 Gio Gonzalez offering and deposited it 15 rows up in the left field section. It was his fifth homer of the season.

Gonzalez wasn't out of the hot water just yet. Paul Goldschmidt singled and Jake Lamb walked. With two men on, only one out and a run in, Gonzalez bore down and struck out Yasmany Tomás and Brandon Drury.

Robbie Ray, a former Nats prospect, struck out the side in the bottom of the first: Trea Turner, Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper. Ray now has 42 strikeouts in first five-plus games this season. He had 218 strikeouts last season.

After one inning in D.C., the Diamondbacks led 1-0.

Ray struck out the first five Nats he faced. Then Anthony Rendon grounded out to shortstop to end the second.

In the third, Michael A. Taylor tripled to left field. One out later, Gonzalez helped his own cause with a ground out to shortstop that scored Taylor. The Nationals evened the game at 1-1.

But Ray finished the inning with two strikeouts. He has at least two strikeouts in every inning, totaling seven through just three frames.

After three innings, the Nationals and Diamondbacks were tied 1-1.

Gonzalez lasted five innings, allowing only one run on three hits with seven walks and eight strikeouts. He tossed 105 pitches, 58 for strikes. In five previous starts this season, the fewest innings he completed was 6 1/3.

After five innings, the game is still tied 1-1.

Update: In the bottom of the sixth, the Nats mounted a rally against Ray. With two outs, Harper singled. Zimmerman delivered an RBI double to score Harper, marking his sixth straight multi-hit game. Zimmerman also has a 10-game hit streak. After six innings, the Nationals lead Arizona 2-1.

Update II: Big story of this game for the Nats bullpen is the work of Jacob Turner (1-0). He pitched four scoreless innings, allowing only two hits with no walks and four strikeouts, to finish the game with the victory.

The Nationals defeat the Diamondbacks 2-1.