Another forgettable first for Gonzalez (Nats lose 5-2)

The first inning proved to be a problem for Gio Gonzalez for the second straight start. Gonzalez allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while needing 37 pitches, 21 for strikes, to get through the first frame today against the Mets. So down 3-0, the Nationals will need to come from behind yet again if they'll make it two wins in a row over New York. On Sunday, Gonzalez had his worst performance of the season, allowing seven runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings. Most of the damage came in the first when the A's battered him for four runs on five hits and a walk. So over his last two first innings, Gonzalez has put up some ugly numbers - seven runs on nine hits and three walks. In Oakland, the lefty settled down after the second inning. Let's see if he can do so sooner today at Nats Park. Update: Well, it's another rough day for Gonzalez. The Nats starter made it through the second inning unscathed, but couldn't string together two scoreless innings in a row. Juan Lagares hit a two-run homer with one out in the third, increasing the Mets' lead to 5-0. Both of Lagares' two homers this season have come against the Nationals. That had Craig Stammen warming in the bullpen, but Gonzalez managed to finish off the frame without any further damage. Gonzalez has allowed five runs on seven hits in three innings and has thrown 84 pitches. His ERA is up to 4.62. It was at 2.91 entering Sunday's game. Update II: It was another short outing for Gonzalez, who was relieved by Stammen in the fourth after throwing 84 pitches through three frames. On top of the five earned runs on seven hits, Gonzalez walked two and struck out four. Over his last two starts, he has allowed 12 runs in 7 1/3 innings for an un-Giolike 14.73 ERA. Bartolo Colon has countered by holding the Nats to three hits in three scoreless frames. The Mets still lead 5-0. Update III: Ian Desmond got the Nats on the board with a two-run homer in the fourth, his sixth blast of the season, to cut the Mets' lead to 5-2. Update IV: Stammen was nothing short of exceptional this afternoon, allowing just one hit, walking one and fanning two over four scoreless innings. Aaron Barrett followed with a 1-2-3 eighth. That held the Mets in check after Gonzalez's abbreviated outing. But the Nats' offense hasn't been able to get much going against Colon and heads to the bottom of the eighth still down 5-2. Update V: The Nats just couldn't overcome that poor start and despite excellent work from the bullpen, couldn't come back, falling 5-2 to the Mets. Stammen, Barrett and Jerry Blevins combined to hold the Mets to one hit in six scoreless innings. But Colon had the Nats' number, allowing just two runs on five hits in eight innings. The 41-year-old struck out five and walked one. Jenrry Mejia followed with a scoreless ninth for New York to earn his first save. The Nationals slip to 22-20, seeing their brief two-game winning streak come to a halt.