Despite another no-decision, a positive start for Gonzalez

MIAMI - Lost amid the hubbub over the way Saturday night's game at Marlins Park ended was the way Gio Gonzalez pitched to ensure the outcome was still undecided in the final innings.

The Nationals ultimately lost to the Marlins 2-1 in 10 innings, but not because of a poor start by their left-hander.

Gonzalez authored one of his best outings of the season, allowing one run on three hits over seven innings and matching his season-high with 114 pitches thrown.

"Progress," Gonzalez said. "It's definitely ... moving forward, it's definitely good progress. Still working on little things, but it's progress, definitely something positive."

Gonzalez hadn't completed seven innings since a June 2 start in Atlanta. He hadn't allowed fewer than two runs in a start since May 28 in Baltimore.

Not that Saturday's outing was flawless. The biggest blemish on Gonzalez's start was the opening stretch of the bottom of the fourth, in which he loaded the bases on three consecutive walks. He managed to get out of the jam with only one run crossing the plate - via a sacrifice fly - but that one run loomed large all evening and was the difference in the game until the Nationals tied it up in the top of the ninth.

"You have to keep pitching," he said of his approach once he loaded the bases.

When he completed the sixth on 102 pitches, Gonzalez's evening figured to be over. But with his team trailing 1-0, manager Davey Martinez let his starter return to the mound for the seventh. And his starter responded by retiring the side on 12 pitches.

"Honestly, he just settled down," Martinez said when asked about the decision to leave Gonzalez in. "He looked good. And one-run game, I felt he was good to go."

Gonzalez still hasn't been credited with a win since that May 28 game against the Orioles, but he has now recorded two quality starts in his last three outings, an encouraging sign for a pitcher who has been facing an uphill battle most of the summer.

"He pitched great, he really did," Martinez said. "He settled back in, threw a bunch of pitches. But he gave us seven good innings. I'm proud of Gio. He kept his composure out there and then came back and did wonderful."