Williams on Gonzalez's stellar outing and various injuries after 3-0 win
By Dan Kolko
A long day ends with a win, one that trims the Nationals' magic number to clinch the best record in the National League to one.
Gio Gonzalez threw seven stellar, scoreless innings, striking out a career-high 12, leading the Nats to a 3-0 win over the Mets.
Anthony Rendon went 2-for-3 with an RBI and the Nats did enough to get to Zack Wheeler the second time through the order, putting up three runs in the fourth.
That was all they needed.
Here's Matt Williams after the win:
On Gonzalez being locked in today: "From the first batter. He threw good curveballs, good changeups. Fastball ticked up when he needed it, to 94 tonight. I think the cooler weather certainly helps pitchers, but tonight, he felt really good. And he was in command the whole game. He pitched really well."
On if this is the best he's seen Gonzalez: "Yeah, it's one of the best. He threw a game in Philly that was really good. He threw a game, came out of the game without giving up a run another time. That was really good. But tonight was, I think command-wise, tonight was his best outing, for sure."
On what the key has been for Gonzalez lately: "It's just been the ability to throw a breaking ball for a strike. The ability to throw a changeup in a fastball count, when he wants to. And he gets chase pitches on his fastball, too. When he combines all those, then he's as tough as anybody. Over his last four, five, six outings, he's been able to command his offspeed pitches, which is key for him."
On if Anthony Rendon is OK after getting hit by a pitch on his right hand: "Kind of on the knuckle. He's OK though. Just grazed him."
On Denard Span's status: "He's a little sore. He's gonna be in the game tomorrow, though. We decided to give him another day. He tested it in between games, still a little bit sore. So airing on the side of caution, we decided to give him another day. He's good to go tomorrow, though."
On whether Doug Fister or Taylor Hill will start Game 1 of tomorrow's doubleheader: "Doug's gonna pitch Game 1 and Taylor's gonna pitch Game 2. Of course, we'll have Loby back there tomorrow morning-ish with Doug."
On if Wilson Ramos is OK after taking a foul ball where no man wants to take a foul ball: "Yeah. Right in the worst spot. It wasn't good. That's no fun. He had a little tough time breathing there for a minute. He's up second the next inning. He got back to the dugout and it calmed down as much as I guess it could calm down. They checked him after his next at-bat to make sure that everything was OK. Talked to him, anyway. He's fine. It's never fun. Being a catcher's no fun."
Here's Matt Williams after the win:
On Gonzalez being locked in today: "From the first batter. He threw good curveballs, good changeups. Fastball ticked up when he needed it, to 94 tonight. I think the cooler weather certainly helps pitchers, but tonight, he felt really good. And he was in command the whole game. He pitched really well."
On if this is the best he's seen Gonzalez: "Yeah, it's one of the best. He threw a game in Philly that was really good. He threw a game, came out of the game without giving up a run another time. That was really good. But tonight was, I think command-wise, tonight was his best outing, for sure."
On what the key has been for Gonzalez lately: "It's just been the ability to throw a breaking ball for a strike. The ability to throw a changeup in a fastball count, when he wants to. And he gets chase pitches on his fastball, too. When he combines all those, then he's as tough as anybody. Over his last four, five, six outings, he's been able to command his offspeed pitches, which is key for him."
On if Anthony Rendon is OK after getting hit by a pitch on his right hand: "Kind of on the knuckle. He's OK though. Just grazed him."
On Denard Span's status: "He's a little sore. He's gonna be in the game tomorrow, though. We decided to give him another day. He tested it in between games, still a little bit sore. So airing on the side of caution, we decided to give him another day. He's good to go tomorrow, though."
On whether Doug Fister or Taylor Hill will start Game 1 of tomorrow's doubleheader: "Doug's gonna pitch Game 1 and Taylor's gonna pitch Game 2. Of course, we'll have Loby back there tomorrow morning-ish with Doug."
On if Wilson Ramos is OK after taking a foul ball where no man wants to take a foul ball: "Yeah. Right in the worst spot. It wasn't good. That's no fun. He had a little tough time breathing there for a minute. He's up second the next inning. He got back to the dugout and it calmed down as much as I guess it could calm down. They checked him after his next at-bat to make sure that everything was OK. Talked to him, anyway. He's fine. It's never fun. Being a catcher's no fun."
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