Poor curveball command hurting Gio Gonzalez

Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez's string of rough starts continued Saturday against the Pirates, as the left-hander lasted just five innings in a no-decision. Gonzalez is winless in his last seven starts, going 0-5 with a 5.20 ERA.

Nationals manager Matt Williams said Gonzalez's struggles are related to his lack of command with his curveball.

"He’ll continue to work on it," Williams said, per The Washington Post. "Next time out, hopefully he’s got that. But his next ‘pen will be really important for him to establish that slot and command with the curveball. If he doesn’t have it, the other team can just eliminate it from their thought process. It makes it more difficult for him to get guys out. He’ll work on it hard next time he throws a ‘pen."

The curveball has been Gonzalez's go-to pitch. In 2012, his curveball was worth 10.2 runs better than average, and 7.7 runs last season, according to FanGraphs.com. In 2014, it is only worth 1.2 runs more than average.

"It’s just trying to find a feel for it," he said. "And so far, it’s just I’ve got to keep working at it. Maybe something will click."