In a high-scoring affair at Coors Field, the Colorado Rockies defeated the Washington Nationals 8-7. With the game ending on a pitch-clock violation against Nationals’ closer Kyle Finnegan (2-4). The Rockies took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI single by catcher Jacob Stallings. The Nationals quickly responded with two runs in the third, taking a 2-1 lead.
Photo Cred: ESPN
Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers, in his first game back from a hamstring injury. He hit a 436-foot three-run home run to center, putting the Rockies ahead 4-2. After a scoreless fourth inning, Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams hit a 411-foot solo homer to right-center off Rockies’ starter Cal Quantrill, narrowing the lead to 4-3. Quantrill pitched six innings, allowing three runs with five strikeouts and one walk.
This marked his fourth consecutive outing of at least five innings. During which he has pitched two shutouts and gone 3-1. Since joining the Rockies from Cleveland in the offseason, he has been their most consistent pitcher. He boasts a 6-5 record with a 3.50 ERA. Postgame, Quantrill commented on the historic ending: “Don’t think I’ve ever seen that one, but I think Mac (McMahon) would’ve gotten it done either way.”
The Nationals rallied against the Rockies’ bullpen after Quantrill’s exit. In the seventh inning, reliever Jake Bird walked catcher Keibert Ruiz and allowed a bunt single to center fielder Jacob Young. Abrams then singled to right, scoring pinch-runner Drew Millas and tying the game at 4-4. After Stallings threw out Abrams attempting to steal second—one of three throw-outs on the night—Bird left with groin tightness. The Nationals took advantage, as right fielder Lane Thomas hit an RBI single to center off reliever Justin Lawrence, giving the Nationals a 5-4 lead.
Photo Cred: Reuters
Nationals’ starter Mitchell Parker (4-4, 3.30 ERA) pitched six innings, allowing four runs with eight strikeouts and two walks. The Rockies tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh. A 447-foot solo home run by designated hitter Hunter Goodman off Nationals reliever Jacob Barnes. The game quickly shifted as second baseman Luis García Jr. hit a 438-foot two-run home run to center off Lawrence. He capitalized on a throwing error by Tovar that allowed first baseman Joey Meneses to reach base.
The Rockies responded again in the eighth, with Ryan McMahon hitting a 367-foot solo home run to left off reliever Hunter Harvey, cutting the Nationals’ lead to 7-6. Rockies’ reliever Jalen Beeks (4-3) then pitched a 1-2-3 top of the ninth, setting the stage for the Rockies’ final rally. Goodman and right fielder Jake Cave began the bottom of the ninth with consecutive singles. Center fielder Brenton Doyle then singled to left, scoring Goodman to tie the game at 7.
Tovar singled to right, loading the bases, and McMahon, who went 3-4 on the night with two RBIs, came to bat. With a 3-2 count, Finnegan was called for a pitch-clock violation, scoring Cave and giving the Rockies the victory. For the Rockies, Tovar went 2-3 with two walks. Rodgers went 1-4 with a three-run home run, and Goodman went 2-4 with a solo home run. For the Nationals, García Jr. went 1-4 with a two-run home run. His second consecutive game with a home run, Abrams went 3-5 with two RBIs and a solo homer, and Thomas went 2-5 with two RBIs.
The Rockies snapped a two-game skid and will meet the Nationals in the rubber match tomorrow at Coors Field. It was the finale of an 11-game homestand. LHP Kyle Freeland (0-3, 13.21 ERA), who has not pitched for the Rockies in almost 70 days, returns after being on the 60-day IL with an elbow injury. RHP Jake Irvin (5-6, 3.24 ERA) will start for the Nationals.
