Gonzalez building confidence, thanks to his manager

The Phillies shut out the Nationals 3-0, but left-hander Gio Gonzalez continues to pitch well.

Gonzalez allowed just one earned run in 6 1/3 innings. He allowed a sacrifice fly in the sixth, a throwing error scored a run in the seventh and the lefty left with the bases loaded after a walk later in the inning.

"Tough situation, I made some pitches that I wish I could take back a little bit," Gonzalez said. "They did a great job. I also got to give them credit. They were swinging at everything, pitches that were close to them and they were making it productive."

Sammy Solis, making his first appearance of the season in relief of Gonzalez in the seventh, induced an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.

"Defense was great. These guys played hard," Gonzalez said. "They were getting down and dirty. I have to give credit to Sammy Solis. He made a great pitch, groundball double play. Took me out of situation that was very well needed. Tip my cap to Sammy Solis, he did a great job."

Gonzalez had three walks and two wild pitches, and that double play kept the Nationals in the game. Manager Dusty Baker could sense some moments where Gonzalez was tense. But that might be related to the lack of run support Gonzalez received.

"I noticed some frustration," Baker said. "When you're not hitting and you're not scoring runs, then when he gives up a run, then you're going to get a little frustrated. If you're scoring runs and then you give up a run or two, then it's no big deal.

"What did he go, seven innings and two runs? I mean, that's a pretty good outing. And his ERA is (1.42)? He's pitched pretty well. He's pitched excellent. If he just keeps pitching like that, he's going to win a lot of ballgames."

Through his first few starts, it has been a smooth beginning for Gonzalez, something that didn't happen last season when he finished with a 3.79 ERA, his worst full-season mark since 2009.

"Gio threw the ball really well today," said second baseman Daniel Murphy. "I thought he was unbelievable. That's four starts for him that he's been unreal. Deserved better. We'll gather ourselves, we got a ballgame tomorrow, and see if we can finish up this homestand 4-2."

And through those first four starts, Gonzalez has noticed something even more important that could have a positive effect on his season: He is 1-1 with a 1.42 ERA in 25 1/3 innings.

Gonzalez said he believes he is building confidence with each start because of his manager's faith in his ability to pitch into the seventh and eighth innings.

"This year, turning the page from last year to this year, it is just I know I can pitch deeper into games," Gonzalez said. "I've done it most of my entire career. So to see Dusty is giving me a chance to go out there and pitch longer than four or five innings, it's incredible.

"I just like that he believes in me every time I go out and pitch. That's a good feeling as a pitcher when a manager believes in everything you do."