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Holliday, Dessens shine as Rockies sweep Nationals

Aug 26, 2007 - 11:52 PM By Tony Desiere PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

DENVER (Ticker) - Matt Holliday had three hits, including a home run, and drove in three runs as the Colorado Rockies completed a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals, 10-5, on Sunday.

The Rockies also got an outstanding performance from starter Elmer Dessens (2-1), who pitched six innings, allowing one run and three hits. He left the game having retired the final 10 batters he faced.

"When you have a big lead, it's easy to relax," Dessens said. "After the first inning, the guys helped me out and I was able to keep my pitch count down and I tried to focus on throwing strikes."

"It was a good ball game for Elmer," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "He stayed on line and repeated his delivery and got the ball down. He changed speeds very effectively."

Leading, 3-1, in the third inning, Colorado exploded for six runs against starter Joel Hanrahan (3-2). Ryan Spilborghs singled with two outs and scored on Chris Ianetta's RBI doubled to left. After Dessens walked, Kaz Matsui hit a run-scoring double and Troy Tulowitzki followed with an RBI single before Holliday's 24th homer capped the uprising and chased Hanrahan.

"They guys talked about putting together a big inning," Hurdle said. "That was big to get that kind of production, especially with two outs. All we are trying to do is be one run better than the other team. Those kind of innings help."

Holliday extended his hitting streak to a team-best 16 games in the first inning when he double and scored on Todd Helton's RBI single to tie the game at 1-1.

"I felt good," Holliday said. "The more I help this team, the better I feel playing. We still have to win games and from here on out, we have to keep winning. That's what we are focusing on."

Hanrahan struggled with his control, allowing eight hits and nine runs with five walks in just 2 2/3 innings. The righthander's control problems were evident throughout.

"I tried to guide the ball in instead of throwing strikes," Hanrahan said. "It was one of those days where nothing came out the way I wanted to."

"He couldn't throw strikes," Washington manager Manuel Acta said. "He completely lacked command. A lot of them with two outs and couldn't throw strikes to the pitcher. If he could have gotten him both times, they might have scored only a couple of runs."

Tulowitzki also drove in three runs and Helton had three hits as the Rockies moved within 3 1/2 games of the San Diego Padres in the National league wild card race.

"Anytime a pitcher is not throwing strikes, you are doing him a favor when you chase outside of the zone," Tulowitzki said. "We did a good job of that, especially in the second inning."

Colorado's Ramon Ortiz gave up three runs in relief of Dessens, allowing the Nationals to trim the lead to 9-5 in the eighth. But Matt Herges came on to quell the comeback.

Ryan Zimmerman recorded his 21st home run and Ryan Church also homered for Washington, which fell to 3-4 on its 10-game road trip.