Nats game blog: Gio Gonzalez looking to repeat last start against Orioles

The Nationals and Orioles begin a rare series in late September. Both teams are in difficult predicaments in their quest to make the postseason. Last season, both squads had already clinched division titles at this time of the year.

On September 21, 2014, the Nationals dropped the Marlins 2-1 behind Stephen Strasburg and led the National League East by 15 games. That day, the Orioles lost the Red Sox 3-2, but still led the American League East by 13 games.

The Nationals took two of three in Baltimore the weekend before the All-Star break. The only game the Nationals lost was Friday, July 10, a no-decision for tonight's starter Gio Gonzalez (11-7, 3.83 ERA). Jonathan Schoop's walk-off helped the Orioles to a 3-2 win.

The Nationals won the next two games by 7-4 and 3-2. They led the NL East by two games on July 13 and were 48-39.

After that Sunday, July 12 loss, the Orioles fell into third place in the AL East at 44-44, but still were only four games out of the lead.

The splits are stunning between Gonzalez and Jimenez tonight.

Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (11-9, 4.31) is 5-1 with a 2.61 ERA in seven career games against the Nationals. Five of those seven outings have been quality starts. He has won four straight games against the Nationals, all quality starts. He last faced the Nationals at Nats Park while with the Rockies in 2011. He allowed one earned run in eight innings in that game, striking out eight and scattering five hits.

Gonzalez is 1-4 with a 3.51 ERA in eight career starts versus the Orioles, allowing three homers. But he did pitch very well at Camden Yards on July 10. He will look for a repeat of that tonight.

Note: His start was pushed back a day because of the rainout.