Gonzalez's ability to get through fourth inning critical to quality start

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez had the kind of outing the Nationals will need from him as they look to make a run down the stretch. He did not allow a hit until the sixth inning and held the Braves scoreless in an 8-2 victory.

For Gonzalez, it was his first win since Aug. 10 as he struck out 10 batters and allowed only two hits, both in the sixth inning.

Gonzalez had Wilson Ramos catch for him Saturday instead of his regular batterymate, Jose Lobaton. Gonzalez always puts heavy emphasis on his relationship with his catcher in strategy sessions before games and motivation during contests. Ramos played a big role in the win.

"It's just being on the same page with your catcher," Gonzalez said. "It helps out a lot, especially with Willie just wanting to be aggressive today. You can hear him, he was telling me yesterday and he was telling me today, 'Let's go, let's pound the strike zone.' Before the game I also told Cat (pitching coach Steve McCatty) I trust Willie's game and I'm going to follow his program and it worked. He knows what he's doing back there and he's caught some great games."

"I just thought (Gonzalez) commanded the strike zone well today," said manager Matt Williams. "Threw some good breaking balls to strike guys out, too. Hard breaking balls down and in to the righties. With two strikes, that was effective for him, too. Managed pitch counts innings two through four and he was able to get through six for us. I think it was really good. He had a couple of walks interspersed in there, but for the most part in command."

Another example that Gonzalez was on target were his strikeouts of Freddie Freeman in the fourth inning and then again in the sixth inning.

"I'll be honest with you, a team like that could sneak up on you and put up some big numbers on you and that's one thing you want to do is be aggressive with (Ramos' calls) and not try and give them a second wind or a chance to fight back, especially with their horse on the mound. (Shelby) Miller's a pretty damn good pitcher," Gonzalez said.

"It was one of those games you knew that he was going to try to keep them in the game as much as possible. It's going to be a low-scoring game. Again, it's one of those games you wouldn't expect seven on the board and then lo and behold Nats pulled through and put up some big numbers."

The Nationals need Gonzalez to be on track if they are going to make a postseason run. They need their southpaw starter to get left-handed hitters out. He has had trouble getting past the fourth inning at times this season. On Saturday, he had a 1-2-3 fourth frame, which included two strikeouts.

"I think he's got that in him every time he goes out there," said center fielder Bryce Harper, who had three extra-base hits. "If he's able to go out there and establish his fastball and throw that big curveball that he has and keep guys off balance, that what you'll get.

"He's a Cy Young guy, we saw that when he was in Oakland with the A's, and we saw that the first year he was here. He goes out there and battles every night that he throws, and tonight that was Gio."

Gonzalez said for him to pitch well is certainly a good thing. But the guys that pitch after him are just as important for the Nationals to keep pace in the divisional race.

"It's great. Our bullpen's been great for us," Gonzalez said. "They've been fighting through everything and they've picked up some big innings for me. It's impressive to see what they're doing and not only that the offense has been lights out. It's been great for them.

"They're putting up numbers that are very impressive. Especially what they've done for Jordan (Zimmermann in) yesterday's game, getting that big W. And again, (Jonathan Papelbon) picked us up yesterday too with two strong innings. Everyone's right now fighting for big plays."