Gio Gonzalez Hits First Career Home Run, Continues Trend of Strong Hitting From Nationals Pitchers

The Washington Nationals boast one of baseball's youngest and most dynamic pitching staffs. With an ace like Stephen Strasburg at the top, followed by Gio Gonzalez through Ross Detwiler, the Nats' arms have buoyed the team to a MLB-best 68-43 record.

Yet, that same pitching staff is much more multi-faceted, helping with its collective bats as well.

Speaking of Gonzalez, he threw another gem Wednesday -- a complete game, nine-hit, seven-strikeout performance -- in a 4-3 win over the Houston Astros.

The aforementioned full nine innings of work was a career-first for Gio, but so was the two-run home run he hit in the top of the second:

Strasburg has been helping his own cause throughout the season, but so has Gonzalez; he has four RBIs on the season, tied for fifth-most in the National League.

Along with Jordan Zimmermann, the Nationals now have three pitchers who have hit home runs (the three homers are a single-season franchise record) AND have won "NL Pitcher of the Month" honors.

Meh.


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