James Wood swats two homers to snap the Rockies’ winning streak
The Colorado Rockies (17-58) dropped an extra-inning affair to the Washington Nationals (31-44) despite a well-played game. The Rockies tallied 11 hits, but ended up striking out 13 times while going 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Still, the pitching was solid, and some timely hits did come, but a pair of two-run homers from James Wood sealed their fate.
The Rockies’ win streak ends at four games, but they did win their second series of the season and had a winning road trip, going 4-3.
Dazzlin’ Dealin’ Dollander
After a couple of difficult starts for Chase Dollander this month following his return from the injured list, the struggling Washington lineup seemed to help out. Dollander ended up throwing 81 pitches, 54 for strikes, en route to a quality start. He only tallied two strikeouts, but induced seven groundouts while scattering six hits and issuing no free passes. The only blemish on the day was a two-run home run to Wood in the bottom of the fourth inning to give the Nationals a short-lived 2-0 lead. Limiting the walks is a key to Dollander’s success, especially when he doesn’t have the strikeouts handy.
Answering back
The Rockies quickly erased the two-run deficit, much like they’ve done this series. Orlando Arcia singled with one out and later advanced to third when Ryan Ritter lined out to second base and Luis Garcia Jr. had a throwing error trying to get Arcia at first. Jordan Beck laced an RBI double, his 14th of the season. Mickey Moniak followed up with another two-out knock to score Beck and tie things up 2-2.
In regulation, the Rockies had a scoring opportunity in the sixth after Brenton Doyle laced a double off the center field wall to put Ryan McMahon at third with one out after he led off the inning with a single. The Nationals went to Cole Henry out of the bullpen and he promptly struck out Sam Hilliard and Arcia to end the threat.
Bullpen brilliance
The bullpens for both teams were brilliant for the majority of the game.
A parade of four Nationals relievers allowed just two hits while striking out seven Rockies hitters in 4 2⁄3 innings of work while issuing just one walk.
Rockies relievers Jimmy Herget and Victor Vodnik combined for three innings of relief, allowing just one hit and striking out three batters to push the game into extra innings. A notable aspect of the pitching today was that the Rockies didn’t issue a single walk.
Extra-inning drama
In the top of the 10th, the Rockies grounded out to third base twice and drew a walk before McMahon punched out to end the inning, stranding Tyler Freeman at second base.
Ryan Rolison entered the 10th for the Rockies and answered back. After a sacrifice bunt pushed the winning run to third, he induced two ground balls to end the inning. Colorado then proceeded to take a 3-2 courtesy of a Michael Toglia single to score McMahon with the hopes of completing the four-game sweep.
Seth Halvorsen came in to try to secure the save. A sacrifice bunt moved the tying run to third and a slick diving stop by Toglia at first recorded the second out. Unfortunately, Wood struck again, blasting a hanging splitter to straight away center field for a two-run walk-off home run to snap the Nationals’ skid.
Up Next
The Rockies head home to welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to Coors Field for the weekend series. Austin Gomber (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the season with Zac Gallen (4-8, 5.19 ERA) taking the hill for Arizona. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.
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