Washington @ Atlanta preview
Turner Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2012 ) Washington 4, Atlanta 5
The Atlanta Braves made quite the statement by taking the first two contests of their three-game series with the Washington Nationals. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez will look to make a statement of his own on Sunday night when he attempts to become the majors' first 20-game winner when the National League East rivals conclude their set on national television. Rookie Andrelton Simmons was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score the go-ahead run in the eighth inning on Saturday as Atlanta rallied from an early four-run deficit for a 5-4 win.
Although the odds are still against them, the Braves sit just 6 1/2 games behind Washington in the NL East after winning four in a row and nine of their last 13 contests. For Atlanta to close the gap even further, it will have to prevent Gonzalez from matching Ross Grimsley's team record for wins - which was set in 1978. Washington's magic number to clinch the division remains at 11.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (19-7, 2.93 ERA) vs. Braves LH Mike Minor (8-10, 4.42)
Gonzalez won his third start in a row and sixth in seven outings after allowing one run on three hits in six innings against the New York Mets on Monday. The 26-year-old improved to 2-1 in his career versus Atlanta despite permitting four runs and walking as many in five innings on July 1.
Minor has won two in a row and struck out 15 in 12 2/3 scoreless innings in his last two starts. The 24-year-old improved to 2-2 in his career versus Washington after yielding four runs on five hits in a 7-5 win on June 30. Minor has struggled with his control, issuing six walks in his last two outings after allowing five in his previous eight.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta catcher Brian McCann exited Saturday's tilt with tendinitis in his right hamstring. The team said he is day-to-day.
2. Former Brave Adam LaRoche launched his 30th homer and has hit safely in all but two games this month. LaRoche is 1-for-3 in his career against Minor.
3. Atlanta slugger Jason Heyward, who belted his team-leading 27th homer on Saturday, has hit safely in his last six games against Washington. He is 3-for-9 in his career versus Gonzalez.