Gorzelanny feeling good about start against Mets

Left-hander Tom Gorzelanny looks to earn his first win as a Washington National Wednesday night when he takes to the hill against the New York Mets, who send knuckleball right-hander R.A. Dickey (1-3, 4.10) to the mound. Gorzelanny (0-2, 4.96) is coming off a tough loss last week in St. Louis in which he went five innings and allowed two runs. He surrendered only two hits, but struggled with control, giving up four walks and striking out three batters in a 5-0 setback. The Nats lefty allowed two runs in the first inning, and said he didn't really feel good on the mound at any point during that start. "No, not really," Gorzelanny said. "It was a day I had to try to fight through it and throw everything I had up there and try to get through the game. I was able to do that." Gorzelanny allowed the Cardinals to get a couple of runs in the first frame, but was proud that he was able to settle down a little and pitch out of trouble from there. He says that experience will help him against the Mets. "It kind of makes you feel good that I only gave up two runs in only five innings," Gorzelanny said. "I know I can build off of that and take it into the next start and pitch a little bit better." With 98 major league starts under his belt, Gorzelanny says he is going to have those days where everything is not working all the time and he has to go with what he has and find a way to finish the game. "It's not just a one time thing," Gorzelanny said. "It happens to everybody. It is going to happen more than once. It is how you deal with it and how you get through it. I was fortunate to get through it. I fought my way through it. I feel good about (Wednesday) and trying to get ahead of guys and make quick outs." Gorzelanny faced the Mets back on April 9 at Citi Field, taking his first loss of the season. He went 5 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, five earned runs, two walks and striking out eight. Carlos Beltran smacked two homers in the game off of Gorzelanny, a first inning two-run shot and a fourth inning solo homer. "The numbers didn't show what I felt like I did that day," Gorzelanny said. "I thought I pitched a pretty good game. It was just a couple of hitters that made me pay for it and a couple of walks. I think every single mistake I made, a run scored off of it. "I know what I need to do. I have seen these guys a few times. It was good research, so I am ready to go."