Nationals set to open crucial series in St. Louis

Trailing the Mets by 5 1/2 games, the Nationals are set to open a crucial three-game series in St. Louis while New York prepares to host the last place Phillies. Yesterday's 7-4 win over the Marlins secured the Nats' fourth consecutive series win since Aug. 18, yet they've actually lost a game in the standings to the red-hot Mets over the stretch.

"We got a long way to go," Jayson Werth said after driving in three runs in Sunday's win over the Marlins. "We got a tough three-game road trip in St. Louis. We need to keep winning series and just keep winning ballgames to give ourselves a chance. I don't think anybody in here has given up or anything like that. I think everybody believes in each other and believes in this team."

At 84-46, the Cardinals own the best record in the majors. St. Louis took two of three from the Nats when they visited D.C. April 21-23. Gio Gonzalez blanked the Cardinals over six innings, allowing eight hits in the lone Nats win in the series, which came on a Yunel Escobar 10th-inning walk-off homer.

Gonzalez has been roughed up in this last three starts, going 0-3 while surrendering 16 runs (14 earned) over 12 1/3 innings (10.22 ERA).

"Gio's back out there looking to right the ship a little bit in that regard," Nationals manager Matt Williams said.

The Nationals can't afford another short start from Gonzalez. The left-hander has failed to pitch out of the sixth inning in six of his last seven starts. With upper back tightness ending Stephen Strasburg's start after just four innings yesterday, the Nationals bullpen was taxed after using Doug Fister, Felipe Rivero, Drew Storen and Jonathan Papelbon for five scoreless innings of relief.

Fister limited the Marlins to a hit and a walk over his two innings, gaining his first win since being sent to the bullpen on August 6.

"I've felt a lot better lately being able to locate and just go through, whether it's my daily routine or whatever it is," Fister said. "It just feels good, back to normal. And that's a blessing for me. Guys were playing defense and making some great plays, and that's what we need."

Michael A. Taylor turned in one of the defensive gems for Fister, saving a run on a tremendous running catch at the wall on a drive from Jeff Mathis to end the sixth. The rookie returned to the Nationals starting lineup for the first time since injuring his right knee on a collision with the wall in Thursday's win over the Padres.

"That's scary anytime a guy plays chicken with the wall," Fister said. "That thing's not moving, and fortunately, he was not injured too badly. He came back strong. He's a big part of us as a team, and that's a big thing for us for him to come back."

Taylor also led off the third and fifth innings with singles, scoring both times.

Williams indicated that Yunel Escobar is nearing a return after missing the last three games. Escobar was struck by a pitch on his right hand during Thursday's win over San Diego.

"(Escobar) took grounders and threw across the diamond," Williams said. "He did a little hitting in the cage. He wasn't available for (Sunday's) game, but swelling is getting out of there and he's getting stronger. So hopefully (Monday)."