WASHINGTON - On a brisk, damp night that hinted of October, Washington Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez pitched like a man determi

WASHINGTON - On a brisk, damp night that hinted of October, Washington Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez pitched like a man determined to make an impact in the playoffs. Rangers Alex Claudio Jersey .Gonzalez (10-10) struck out a career-high 12 batters and allowed just one hit through seven innings as the Nationals defeated the New York Mets 3-0 in the late game of a day-night doubleheader to salvage a split.Its not yet certain whether he or Tanner Roark will be the fourth starter in the rotation when the NL East champion Nationals begin post-season play on Oct. 3.I missed a month and I just want to come back and try to do my best and contribute, said Gonzalez, who missed a stretch of May and June with shoulder inflammation. To do my best to stay a part of this magic that weve got going.In Thursdays first game, Ryan Zimmermans healing hamstring appeared to pass a seven-inning test for playoff-bound Washington in a 7-4 loss.The split pulls the Nationals within one win a€” or one Los Angeles Dodgers loss a€” of clinching the National Leagues top record and home-field advantage until the World Series.In the second game, Zack Wheeler (11-11) allowed three runs over five innings as the Mets (77-82) were ensured of their sixth consecutive sub-.500 season.The Nationals did their damage off Wheeler in the fourth on a fielders choice, a passed ball, and one of three singles by Anthony Rendon.They hit one ball hard the whole night, said Wheeler, who allowed four hits and three walks. It was just one of those games where they were finding holes and they were dropping in. Its not the way I wanted to go out this year.Drew Storen worked a perfect ninth for his 11th save, closing out the first of two day-night doubleheaders in as many days for Washington.Gonzalez kept his strong September going. He struck out the side in the second and third innings and faced the minimum number of batters through five innings before issuing solo walks in the sixth and seventh.I mean, Ive had some fun outings this year, Gonzalez said, but (I was) definitely more aggressive this time in the strike zone. And, thats a lot of credit to the catcher Willy (Ramos). . We just wanted to attack these guys.He fanned Lucas Duda for a third time in the seventh for his career-best 12th strikeout, passing the mark hed tied five times, including three times last season. After Wilmer Flores lined out to end the inning, Gonzalez walked to the dugout to chants of Gi-o! Gi-o! from the Nationals Park crowd.Manager Matt Williams hasnt officially announced the clubs playoff rotation. Despite Roarks breakout year, its expected Gonzalez, Washingtons only southpaw starter, will join Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister.Gonzalez has battled inconsistency, but posted a 2.48 ERA in September (compared to a 3.57 ERA for the season), as well as seven consecutive quality starts.In the early game, Washingtons Zimmerman continued his quest to get healthy by hitting, running the bases and playing left field for seven innings to Williams satisfaction.It was less thinking about it, I think, which is exactly what we want, said Williams, who added that the two-time Silver Slugger winner couldve finished the game if needed. We want him to be able to react out there. I thought it was fine today.Matt den Dekker singled home the go-ahead run off Tyler Clippard (7-4) in the eighth inning. Flores drove in den Dekker from second with an infield single to add an insurance run, and Ruben Tejada singled home another run in the ninth.Curtis Granderson had three singles and three RBIs as New York belted 15 hits. Flores also had three singles.Im just getting hits, said Granderson, who has struggled since joining the Mets this year, but now has eight multi-hit games in September. I really wish it was more complicated than that, but sometimes you find a little bit of grass or a couple of holes here or there. Thats really it.Zimmerman went 1 for 4 and played left field in his second start since straining the hamstring in late July. He also lined out in a pinch-hit appearance in the nightcap.Zimmerman scored in the fourth after singling, going first-to-third at less than full pace on Adam LaRoches single, and running home at a similar speed on Ian Desmonds sacrifice fly to centre.I cant really go 100 per cent yet, said Zimmerman, who played seven innings Saturday but has had soreness as weather reduce him to one pinch-hit appearance since. Im sort of learning what I have, what I dont have, and the only way to do that is to go out and play.Carlos Torres (8-5) pitched the seventh, and Jenrry Mejia worked the ninth for his 28th save.ROTATING FORWARDWith Zimmermann (13-5, 2.78) starting Sunday, the right-hander could start the first or second game of next weeks NLDS on four or five days rest, as long as he shows no ill effects from a line drive taken to his throwing shoulder last Saturday.TRAINERS ROOMNationals: CF Denard Span (right knee soreness) was left out of Thursdays games two days after he departed following a tumbling catch in the series opener. Williams said he expects him to play Friday.Mets: After 3B David Wright (inflamed left shoulder) said Wednesday hes in the beginning stages of a six-week rehab program in hopes of avoiding surgery, manager Terry Collins Thursday said he may be more aggressive in resting Wright next season. What Ive got to do is forget about the asking and just give him some time off, Collins said. ... C Travis dArnaud (unspecified ailment) will not play at least until he sees Mets team doctors Friday, Collins said.UP NEXTNationals: RHP Doug Fister (15-6, 2.55) will make the early start Friday against Miami RHP Jared Cosart (13-10, 3.70), and RHP Taylor Hill (0-0, 4.15) will make his first major league start against LHP Andrew Heaney (0-3, 5.33) late.Mets: LHP Jonathan Niese (9-11, 3.50) will attempt to reach the 10-win plateau for the third time in his career in a series opener against Houstons Brad Peacock (4-9, 4.82). Rangers Chris Martin Jersey . Johns IceCaps erased an early two-goal deficit to come from behind and defeat the host Portland Pirates 5-4 on Saturday in American Hockey League action. Rangers Jose Trevino Jersey . The 55th-ranked Istomin saved 11 of 14 break points to win in just over two hours, setting up a second round meeting with Australian Marinko Matosevic. It was the Uzbeks third win in three matches against fifth-seeded Kohlschreiber, the 2007 and 2012 tournament winner. http://www.cheaprangersauthenticjerseys.com/?tag=rangers-brett-martin-jersey .com) - Jimmie Johnson won Sundays AAA Texas 500 while championship contenders Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski as well as their teams were involved in a post-race fight on pit road after the two clashed in the closing laps at Texas Motor Speedway.Injured Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos said hes feeling better after taking a day off from practice on Monday because his leg didnt feel right. Stamkos took to the ice at the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday morning - where the Lightning prepared to face the Toronto Maple Leafs - wearing a regular blue jersey and skated for about 20 minutes. "It felt a lot better today," Stamkos said after the skate. "Just pain in certain areas. The bone is really strong, the x-rays look good - its more soft tissue issues." Stamkos added that he still hopes to get games under his belt before the Olympic break and also discussed the possibility of playing in Sochi even if he doesnt play an NHL game first. "The objective is to play a game (in the NHL), that would be something I would really love to do," he explained to the large scrum of reporters. "But if thats not the case, theres going to be another discussion about whether or not Im still going to be on that team if I cant play a game. Weve had brief discussions about that, its more or less been Well cross that bridge when (if) we need to." Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman just happens to be his NHL general manager in Tampa and Stamkos is prepared to have a discussion with him on all of his options. "If we have to sit down a couple of days before we have to leave for the Olympics, we can be honest with each other," Stamkos said of his eventual chat with Yzerman. "If I say that Im at the level I think I need to be at to competee at the Olympics, I think hes going to have the trust in me that I can go over there and play at that level. Rangers Adrian Sampson Jersey. But at the end of the day, I have to be honest with him. If I say Im not ready, obviously Im not going to go." When asked about Stamkos comments that going to Sochi without playing an NHL game was a possibility, Yzerman confirmed its among the different options, again very much depending on where he is physically. "Were not going to rule anything out," Yzerman told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun over on the phone Tuesday. "We dont really have to jump to any conclusions yet. Its one step at a time. A week ago he had the X-Ray at the 10-week mark and the doctors advised him to increase the intensity of his workouts on and off the ice and see how he responds to that. So thats what hes done for the last week. Hes still hopeful to play at some point next week but we dont know yet if thats realistic or not. "Once he gets home from the trip hell meet again with the doctors and see what they come up with at that point. But until hes cleared for a game, whether its prior to leaving or not, theres not much really to say, but were going to keep all the options open and make the appropriate decisions when the time comes." Stamkos fractured the tibia in his right leg in a Nov. 11 game against the Boston Bruins and underwent surgery the following day. He had 14 goals and 23 points in 17 games before the injury. The Lightnings final game before the Olympic break is Saturday, Feb. 8 against the Detroit Red Wings. 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