For Washington Nationals fans, another Gio Gonzalez start turns into a night of gnashing teeth and fingernails.
With the Nats in a position to celebrate Friday night, Gonzalez delivered a performance worthy of ending a season rather than extending one. In their 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, he could not hold a three-run lead early and made it through five innings before an endless parade of bullpen pitchers took over.
On the scoresheet, it goes down as a no decision. Five hits, three earned runs and walks with five strikeouts. A perfect symmetry of mediocrity.