The Washington Nationals split a four-game road series at Colorado over the weekend. The Nats dropped the first and last games but won the middle two on Friday and Saturday.
Game 1 Thursday
On Thursday afternoon, the home opener for Colorado, the Rockies blanked the Nats, 1-0. Josiah Gray pitched well for DC, which wasn’t too surprising given his .189 opponents batting average in day games. In six innings, Gray struck out six, walked only one, and was able to limit any damage by the eight hits allowed.
In relief, Mason Thompson threw two solid innings, giving up one hit while striking out three and allowing no runs.
Jeimer Candelario got robbed of a two-run HR by Jurickson Profar in the top of the first, despite fan boy interference. An inning later, Profar robbed Luis Garcia of a hit by laying out for one in left-center field.
CJ Abrams had two of the Nats three hits although he got caught stealing second base. In the field, Abrams made a sparkling scoop and snap throw to retire C.J. Cron with two out and a runner on third base.
Colorado benefited from yet another sun-aided double this time at the expense of Nats RF Lane Thomas. Of course, Kris Bryant knocked him in for the only run of the game for the Rocks.
The Nats fell to 1-6 on the year.
Time of Game 2:18.
Game 2 Friday
If you believe that Coors Field is where ailing bats go to heal, then Friday night was a good omen. The Nats racked up 19 hits and defeated the Rockies, 10-5. In a refreshing twist, the Nats started the game with two consecutive home runs. Alex Call’s first HR was followed by Jeimer Candelario’s second of the season. Both batters also knocked in a run in the second inning by way of a bases loaded walk to Call and a sac fly for Candelario.
MacKenzie Gore picked up his second win of the season in as many starts. In the bottom of the second, Gore gave up his first home run to a lefty batter in his career to Colorado 2B Ryan McMahon. In his six innings, Gore struck out six and walked two while giving up five hits. Erasmo Ramirez followed Gore and didn’t fare well. In a third of an inning, Ramirez gave up three hits and three runs. But Hunter Harvey, Carl Edwards Jr., and Kyle Finnegan sealed the victory in the last 2.2 innings, giving up no runs.
NATISTICS
- Nats scored two runs in five different innings (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 8th)
- The top two batters in the Nats order had one hit each (Call, Candelario)
- The third through sixth batters had two hits apiece (Menses, Smith, Ruiz, Garcia)
- The seven-eight-nine batters collected three hits each (Thomas, Abrams, Robles)
CJ Abrams went 3-5, with two triples back-to-back, which were the first triples of the season for Washington. Abrams scored three runs and knocked in three.
Lane Thomas also had an outfield assist, gunning down a runner at 3B to end the Rockies fourth inning.
Kyle Finnegan bounced back with a “Coors Field Save.” And the Nats losing streak ended at four.
Time of Game: 2:38.
Game 3 Saturday
On Saturday, the Nats prevailed, 7-6. Stone Garrett had himself a night in the Rockies. Garrett got the first five RBIs of the evening: a three-run home run in the top of the third and a two-run single in the fifth. Garrett wound up a triple shy of the cycle: 4-5, 5 RBI, 2R, one strikeout.
Another hit for Lane Thomas and Victor Robles, who are both batting above .350 for the season.
Speaking of Robles, he is transforming before our eyes. Spectacular defense has always been there, but he seems to be using that same kind of positive energy in the other parts of his game, including fundamental execution. For example, Robles had a safety squeeze in this game. CJ Abrams also had a nice sacrifice bunt. Good signs both.
Nationals’ righty Trevor Williams worked 5.1 innings and allowed two runs on five hits. No walks and four strikeouts. For the second night in a row, Hunter Harvey, Mason Thompson, and Kyle Finnegan did not allow a run in a combined 2.2 innings of work. The ninth inning was another matter. Anthony Banda, the only lefty in the Nats bullpen, showed some decent stuff and battled, but threw too many pitches and gave up 3 runs to three batters (2 hits and a walk).
Carl Edwards Jr. entered in a save situation and wasn’t much better while giving up three hits. Edwards allowed two of Banda’s runners to score and allowed one of his own. The Rockies pulled to within 7-6, but Edwards stayed calm and saved the game. He got the necessary three outs and ended the game when he struck out Kris Bryant with the final two strikes coming on exquisite changeups.
Improving to 3-6, the Nats took a two-game winning streak into the series finale on Sunday.
Time of game: 2:44.
Game 4 Sunday
On Sunday afternoon, the Rockies flipped the script with a 7-6 win and tied the series at two games.
Chad Kuhl, facing his former team, allowed two solo home runs while getting pounded for five runs in five innings. Four walks didn’t help his cause.
Erasmo Ramirez took the loss as he suffered through another poor outing in giving up two runs in two-thirds of an inning. But Hobie Harris pitched 2.1 innings of shutout ball and has yet to give up an earned run this year.
Dominic Smith continued his solid start with two walks, a hit, and two RBIs. His single in the first inning was a nifty bit of batsmanship as he directed a grounder to the opposite field. Smith continues to display fine leadership by example for his young team and with encouraging words when needed.
Stone Garrett knocked two more hits, but he also struck out twice. His first hit came on an 0-2 count as he guided a grounder through the opposite side. Garrett also used his speed to beat out a grounder on his second hit of the game.
Lane Thomas recorded a hit and has hit safely in eight of the Nats first ten games.
Two more hits for Victor Robles who has a hit in seven out of 10 games. Robles also placed a grounder through a vacated space near second base for an RBI single. Something is visibly clicking for Victor in 2023.
On the other hand, CJ Abrams was 0-5 and left four men on base.
The Nats didn’t get a hit after the sixth inning and fell to 3-7.
Time of game: 2:47
Next up for the Nats is a 3-game series on the road vs. the Angels. In addition to facing Shohei Ohtani as a pitcher on Tuesday, Anthony Rendon is back in the lineup for Los Angeles after serving a silly suspension last week.
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