G. Gonzalez doesn't allow much damage, but fails to go five (Nats lose 2-0)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Cardinals 2, Nationals 0 Recap: Gio Gonzalez allowed two runs (one earned) in 4 2/3 innings. Craig Stammen, Tyler Clippard, Blake Treinen and Xavier Cedeno combined to throw 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Adam Wainwright, meanwhile, held a Nats lineup filled with reserves and minor leaguers scoreless over eight strong frames. Need to know: Gonzalez didn't have his good stuff today, but he still got his work in. Stammen and Clippard looked sharp. On deck: Saturday, vs. Marlins at home, 1:05 p.m. JUPITER, Fla. - Matt Williams said before today's game that he wanted to stretch Gio Gonzalez out to about 80 pitches. He hoped, I'm sure, that those 80 pitches would get Gonzalez through five innings. Gonzalez didn't quite get there. The left-hander was pulled after 4 2/3 innings today, having allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits. Gonzalez walked three, struck out none and threw 82 pitches, 57 for strikes. He didn't pitch especially poorly, but he certainly wasn't sharp, either. The walk and strikeout numbers are a bit unusual for Gonzalez, but they're not necessarily a concern, especially since he had struck out 10 and walked two in 10 2/3 innings entering today. Gonzalez gave up an unearned run in the first after Yadier Molina's groundout brought in Shane Robinson, who had reached on a Jeff Kobernus error and then stolen third. An Allen Craig sac fly in the third brought in Molina, who had walked and moved to third on a Matt Holliday double. Gonzalez didn't have a single 1-2-3 inning today, which also is a bit unusual for him. Craig Stammen came on in the fifth to relieve Gonzalez, and stranded a runner by getting Craig to fly out to center. The Nationals have just two hits through six, meanwhile, as Adam Wainwright has looked, well, like Adam Wainwright. A Scott Hairston infield single and a Caleb Ramsey knock are the only blemishes for the Cardinals veteran righty today. It's 2-0 Cards here in Jupiter.