Dein erstes Forum » ncerned based on the conversations Ive been a part of,

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals already have an impressive starting rotation. If Gio Gonzalez returns to form, the NL East race may soon develop into a runaway.Gonzalez pitched seven innings of two-hit ball, Trea Turner and Wilson Ramos homered and the Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 5-1 on Friday night in a matchup of first-place teams.Washington jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning against Jeff Samardzija (9-8), and Gonzalez made it stand up in arguably his finest outing of the season.Coming off a tough 3-1 loss in San Francisco on Sunday, Gonzalez (7-9) struck out seven, walked one and had five three-up, three-down innings.Gonzalezs ERA grew to 4.81 at the end of June, but hes brought it down to 4.13 after four consecutive starts with two or fewer earned runs allowed. Hes won three of those four starts.In a rotation that features Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer and 11-game winner Tanner Roark, Gonzalez knows he has to be good to compete.Im just trying to keep up with the rest of the guys, Gonzalez said.On this night, the left-hander was as effective as any of them. The only hits he allowed were a solo homer by Angel Pagan in the fourth and a single by Denard Span in the sixth.He had good command, had his changeup working, an occasional breaking ball and he threw his fastball in and out, manager Dusty Baker said.Sammy Solis gave up two hits in the eighth and Mark Melancon got three straight outs to complete the four-hitter.It was the fourth straight win for the Nationals, who came in with a seven-game lead over Miami in the NL East.The Giants remain atop the NL West, though their lead is dwindling. Since the All-Star break, San Francisco is 5-14 and has scored two runs or fewer in nine of those games.Theyre going to come out of it, manager Bruce Bochy said. It better be sooner rather than later. We better get some good swings.Samardzija has certainly contributed to the slide. The right-hander gave up five runs in seven innings and is 0-3 with a 6.85 ERA in his four starts since the break.They got some good at-bats out there and definitely put the ball in play, Samardzija said.Two of the balls were knocked completely out of play: the fifth-inning homer by Turner and Ramos career-high 17th in the sixth.San Francisco pitchers have allowed 32 homers in the last 19 games.Daniel Murphy picked up his 81st RBI with a first-inning single, and Ramos followed with a sacrifice fly.Washington made it 3-0 in the third when Turner doubled and scored on a fly ball by Bryce Harper.Pagan got the Giants first hit with one out in the fourth, a drive into the left-field seats.SHORT HOPSGiants: Span has eight hits in his last 15 at-bats. ... San Francisco hasnt won two straight roads game since June 30 and July 1.Nationals: Jayson Werth has reached base in 36 straight games. ... Murphy has a hit in 17 of his last 19 games, batting .422 with 22 RBI.TRAINERS ROOMGiants: RHP Cory Gearrin (right shoulder strain) was scheduled to make his third rehab appearance with Triple-A Sacramento on Friday night. ... LHP Josh Osich (left forearm strain) threw in the bullpen Friday and could start his rehab assignment Monday.Nationals: INF Ryan Zimmerman missed a fourth straight game after being hit in the left wrist with a pitch Sunday in San Francisco. We hope hes better in a day or two, Baker said, adding that the team has not discussed putting Zimmerman on the DL. ... The Nationals are perplexed about RHP Joe Ross, whos been out for a month with shoulder inflammation and is still experiencing soreness. Were trying to figure out what to do, Baker said.UP NEXTGiants: Matt Cain (3-6, 5.53) starts Saturday in the second game of the series. In his last outing, he pitched five hitless innings against the Nationals in San Francisco.Nationals: Strasburg (15-1, 2.63) has allowed one run and six hits over 13 innings in his last two starts. Kareem Orr Jersey . A forerunning sled crashed into the worker Thursday at the Sanki Sliding Center. The unidentified worker broke both legs and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Aaron Stinnie Jersey . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. http://www.cheaptitansjerseyselite.com/?tag=cheap-anthony-ratliff-williams-jersey . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. Nate Davis Jersey . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. Dalyn Dawkins Jersey . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Looking good, Aaron Rodgers.Coach Mike McCarthy said his quarterback arrived at Green Bay Packers training camp in great shape, just in time for his 12th season in the NFL.I would say this is the best shape Ive seen him in, McCarthy said Monday as players reported for medical and conditioning tests.Receiver Jordy Nelson, though, wont take part in the first practice of camp on Tuesday.Nelson was one of six Packers placed on the physically unable to perform list on Monday. Nelson is coming back from a torn right ACL injury that kept him out for the 2015 season.Coaches have raved about Nelsons work ethic and rehab habits in the offseason. The Packers have also said that they might be cautious with Nelson as he comes back from injury. The Packers also have five preseason games this year since they play in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 7.Nelsons return should help boost an offense that went through uncharacteristic struggles last season.Youre talking about two players that have, shoot, thousands of reps invested in their time together. Yeah, I have great confidence theyll get that back, McCarthy said.Rodgers last season had his lowest passer rating (92.7) and completion rate (60.7) since taking over as the starter in 2008. He had minor surgery after the playoffs for a knee injury that he hurt in high school.In the offseason, Rodgers adjusted his diet. The two-time MVP, who turns 33 in December, said in June that he was at his lowest weight since his second year in the league in 2007.To McCarthy, Rodgers seems refreshed and rejuvenated.I would say Aarons vibe, and really his offseason participation and performance looks to line up for a great year, McCarthy said.Its starting a little earlier than usual, too.Preseason is a littlle longer this year because the Packers will play in the Hall of Fame game against Indianapolis in Canton, Ohio, on Aug.dddddddddddd 7. Players will have barely digested the playbook by the time the Packers kick off against the Colts. The Packers also have more night practices.Theres more time to get ready, and yet it seems that the Packers need to pick up the pace of preparations, too.So well start that tonight, foot on the gas and get that done, McCarthy said.In Rodgers, Nelson and about 13 more players, the Packers have a group of veterans with at least six years of experience that is expected to set the tone for a team with Super Bowl hopes. It could be one of the teams best leadership cores yet, McCarthy said.And its no surprise that Rodgers is the most important. He was as meticulous in his offseason preparation as ever.You want to fit it all together and get it repped as an offense, so that process was very smooth, McCarthy said. I would say hes ready to go.Game notes McCarthy didnt seem worried when asked about the NFLs plan to interview defensive stars Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers about a report that linked them to the use of performance-enhancing drugs. I have no reason to be concerned based on the conversations Ive been a part of, he said. ... Oth