Final
Nationals lose to Rockies 5-4 on Gonzalez slam off Storen
Aug 8, 2015 - 3:28 AM WASHINGTON (AP) The Washington Nationals couldn't have asked to be in a better situation as they attempted to secure their second winning streak since the All-Star break.Washington built a 4-0 lead against the last-place Colorado Rockies and were in complete control when Drew Storen entered in the eighth inning. Storen, after all, hadn't given up a run in 14 appearances since June 24.
That streak is over. Storen yielded a grand slam to Carlos Gonzalez, and the skidding Nationals lost 5-4 Friday night.
''Storen came out with his best and Cargo came out with his best,'' Washington's Bryce Harper said.
Storen's best wasn't good enough for the Nationals, who have lost six of eight to drop 2 1/2 games behind the first-place New York Mets in the NL East. It was a rare ineffective performance by Washington's former closer, who lost his job when Jonathan Papelbon was obtained in a July 28 trade with Philadelphia.
With two outs, a runner on first and the Nationals ahead 4-1, Jose Reyes and Nolan Arenado singled to load the bases for Gonzalez, who drove a 1-0 pitch into the Washington bullpen beyond the wall in right field. It was only the second home run allowed by Storen (2-1) this season.
''A couple of guys get on base for various reasons and then I make one bad pitch, a fastball over the plate to a very good hitter,'' Storen said.
Since June 1, Gonzalez leads the NL with 19 home runs. This one was particularly enjoyable.
''A big moment. I knew that was the key to the game,'' Gonzalez said. ''Storen has been great the whole season. It was just a rough outing for him.''
Washington wasted a strong outing by Jordan Zimmermann, who allowed one run, four hits and no walks in 6 2-3 innings.
Bryce Harper scored two runs, singled, walked twice and hit a run-scoring grounder for the Nationals. Washington scored in three different innings against Jorge De La Rosa, and Harper was in the middle of each uprising.
One swing by Gonzalez, however, undid the lead that Harper helped build. Washington was 46-3 when ahead after seven innings.
''Drew's been unbelievable all year for us,'' Harper said. ''Nothing you can do about that.''
And, there's little the Nationals can do about this painful defeat expect attempt to regroup over the weekend.
''I guarantee none of the teams in our division feel sorry for us. The Mets are happy,'' said Danny Espinosa, who had two hits and scored twice. ''That's a good team right there. For us, we've just got to keep going, keep plugging and go day-to-day and try to get wins.''
Arenado had three hits and scored twice for the last-place Rockies, who now have their first winning streak since the All-Star break.
Scott Oberg (3-2) pitched a scoreless seventh inning, John Axford worked the eighth and Tommy Kahnle got three outs for his first major league save, striking out Harper to end it.
De La Rosa gave up three earned runs and six hits in six innings. Colorado's career leader in wins (76) has earned only one of them since July 5.
Washington got an unearned run in the first inning. Espinosa doubled, took third when left fielder Kyle Parker misplayed the ball and scored on a groundout by Harper, his first RBI in nine games.
Harper led off the fourth with a single and scored on a double by Ryan Zimmerman for a 2-0 lead.
The Nationals added two runs in the sixth. After Espinosa got an infield hit and Harper walked, Jayson Werth hit a sacrifice fly and Ian Desmond followed with an RBI double.
Colorado finally broke through against Zimmermann in the seventh, when Arenado led off with a double and scored on a two-out single by Ben Paulsen.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: INF Anthony Rendon was given the day off, a precaution after his recent return from a left quad strain. ''If we push him too hard it can flare up again,'' manager Matt Williams said.
ON DECK
Rockies: RHP Eddie Butler (3-8, 5.45 ERA) faces Washington for the first time on Saturday. He's 0-3 with an 8.41 ERA in four starts since May 30.
Nationals: Stephen Strasburg (5-5, 5.16 ERA) returns from the 15-day DL (oblique) to make his first start since July 4.
- COLORADO: 5
WASHINGTON: 4
Final
Aug 7 10:24 PM - Ca.Gonzalez homered to right on a 1-0 count, Descalso scored, Reyes scored, Arenado scored.
Rockies 5, Nationals 4 Top 8, 2 OutsAug 7 9:41 PM - Carlos Gonzalez homers to right field. Nolan Arenado scores. Jose Reyes scores. Daniel Descalso scores.
Rockies 5, Nationals 4 Top 8, 2 OutsAug 7 9:41 PM - Ben Paulsen singles to left field. Nolan Arenado scores.
Rockies 1, Nationals 4 Top 7, 2 OutsAug 7 9:06 PM - Ian Desmond doubles to deep left field. Bryce Harper scores.
Rockies 0, Nationals 4 Bot 6, 2 OutsAug 7 8:52 PM - Werth hit a sacrifice fly to center fielder Blackmon, Espinosa scored, Harper to third.
Rockies 0, Nationals 3 Bot 6, 2 OutsAug 7 8:50 PM - Jayson Werth out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Charlie Blackmon. Bryce Harper to third. Danny Espinosa scores.
Rockies 0, Nationals 3 Bot 6, 1 OutAug 7 8:50 PM - Ryan Zimmerman doubles to deep right center field. Bryce Harper scores.
Rockies 0, Nationals 2 Bot 4, 0 OutsAug 7 8:07 PM - Harper grounded out, second baseman LeMahieu to first baseman Paulsen, Espinosa scored.
Rockies 0, Nationals 1 Bot 1, 2 OutsAug 7 7:22 PM - Bryce Harper grounds out to second base, DJ LeMahieu to Ben Paulsen. Danny Espinosa scores.
Rockies 0, Nationals 1 Bot 1, 1 OutAug 7 7:22 PM - Charlie Blackmon flies out to deep center field to Michael Taylor.
Aug 7 7:06 PM - COLORADO: 0
WASHINGTON: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Aug 7 7:06 PM
Related News
- Tuesday Rockpile: What did the Rockies get in trading for Cal Quantrill? Dec 26
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Getting more pitching in 2024 + more... Dec 26
- Monday Rockpile: What’s under the tree for Rockies’ fans this Christmas? Dec 25
- This Week in Purple: Happy Holidays! Dec 23
- Friday Rockpile: Rockies rookies Jones and Tovar earn well-deserved bonuses Dec 22
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Keibert Ruiz, CS% and more… Dec 22
- Thursday Rockpile: Should the Rockies consider a reunion with Mike Moustakas? Dec 21
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Stephen Strasburg retirement?; 40-man spot + more... Dec 21
- Every Rockie Ever Podcast: Troy Tulowitzki Dec 20
- Wednesday Rockpile: Let’s explore the backup catcher market for 2024 Dec 20
- Tuesday Rockpile: The Colorado Rockies’ offseason is progressing as it should (even if it’s boring) Dec 19
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Joey Meneses & DH duties vs playing the field… Dec 19