Nationals game blog: Nats looking for Gio Gonzalez to be the stopper

By Josh Land

Nationals

September 11, 2015, 2:45pm

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The Nationals send Gio Gonzalez to the mound tonight to face his hometown Marlins. The left-hander is 10-7 with a 3.96 ERA in 26 starts this season. He's coming off one of his best outings, holding the Braves scoreless over six innings in an 8-2 win last Saturday.

Gonzalez was rocked in his only start against the Marlins this year, surrendering six runs on 10 hits in a 6-2 loss in Miami on April 26.

Jayson Werth continues to thrive in the leadoff spot. In 20 games at the top of the order, Werth is slashing .321/.387/.592 with four homers, nine doubles, one triple, nine walks, 12 RBIs and 16 runs scored.

Ian Desmond is 7-for-17 (.412) over his last five games as his second half resurgence carries on. Since the All-Star break, Desmond is batting .288 with 10 home runs, one triple, eight doubles, 27 RBIs and 28 runs scored.

Michael A. Taylor returns to the Nats lineup after missing Wednesday's game with right knee swelling. The 24-year-old rookie is tied for 10th in the National League with a .352 batting average with runners in scoring position this season, delivering 45 RBIs in clutch situations. Ten of Taylor's 14 home runs this year have either tied the game or given the Nats the lead.

The Nationals and Marlins have split the 12 games in the season series so far with each team winning four times on their home field.

The Nats are 30-39 on the road this season.