NATIONALS NOTEBOOK: Hopefully a pair of All Stars are returning to form

Thank goodness for the Nationals 8-0 shutout of San Francisco on Sunday.

The victory didn’t just secure their series with the Giants, but the game also saw two of the Nats’ premier players turn around what were serious tailspins that started after career milestones for both.

I’m referring to James Wood and MacKenzie Gore, who were both selected to this year’s All-Star game. Unfortunately the midsummer classic apparently robbed some of their mojo, as Wood hit .149 with one homer over the first 19 games after the midsummer hiatus.

And while it’s almost expected those who participate in the home run derby to regress, the season of MacKenzie Gore imploded after tossing a 1-2-3 inning in the All-Star Game (0-4 with a 13.21 ERA in his first four starts).

However, Sunday both turned back to t