By Jeremy Kahn

cbslocal.com photo: San Francisco Giants starter Jeff Samardzjia deals in the first inning against the Washington Nationals Friday night at Nationals Park

Gio Gonzalez is like a fine wine, he keeps getting better with age and if it continues, the Washington Nationals could go deep in the postseason.

Gonzalez went seven innings, allowing just two hits and the Nationals defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-1 at Nationals Park.

Trea Turner and Wilson Ramos each hit home runs, as the Nationals have won four in a row and are seven games ahead of the Miami Marlins in the National League East.

In his seven innings of work, Gonzalez struck seven, walked just one and retired the Giants in order on five occasions.

After seeing his earned run average grow to 4.81 at the end of June, but since then it is now 4.13 after four consecutive starts and is 3-1 in those four starts.

The only hits that Gonzalez allowed were to Angel Pagan, who hit a solo home run off of Gonzalez in the top of the fourth inning, and former Nationals center fielder Denard Span singled in the top of the sixth inning.

Unfortunately, Jeff Samardzjia’s slide continues, as he is now 0-3 with a 6.85 ERA in his four starts since the All-Star break.

The two home runs allowed by Samardzjia were the 31st and 32nd allowed by Giants pitchers over their last 19 games.

Samardzjia went seven innings, allowing five runs on six hits, walking two and striking out five, as his record fell to 9-8.

Since the All-Star break, the Giants are 5-14, including going 2-10 on the road.