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Desmond, Nats down Rockies

Jul 22, 2014 - 5:36 AM Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Ian Desmond smacked a two-run homer to highlight a 5-for-5 night to go with three runs scored as the Washington Nationals defeated the Colorado Rockies, 7-2, in the opener of a three-game set.

Danny Espinosa went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI and a run scored, while Doug Fister (9-2) allowed two runs on nine hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings for the Nationals, who have won three straight games.

"Guys are swinging the bat well and playing good defense," Fister said.

Franklin Morales (5-5) surrendered four runs -- three earned -- on nine hits and four walks over six frames for Colorado, which has dropped four consecutive contests.

"He had the one tough inning, that fourth. Other than that he threw well," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.

The Nationals posted four runs in the fourth to open the scoring.

Ryan Zimmerman began the frame with a single and Desmond followed by launching his two-run shot into the seats in left. Wilson Ramos then singled up the middle and he came home when Espinosa doubled into left-center. Fister reached base when Morales committed a throwing error on his bunt attempt to put runners on the corners, and Espinosa later scored when Morales recorded another error on a pickoff attempt.

The Rockies cut the deficit in half following a two-run sixth, but the Nats got both runs back in the seventh.

Run-scoring singles by Nolan Arenado and Ben Paulsen in the sixth trimmed the gap to 4-2.

Zimmerman walked and Desmond singled to start the seventh before Ramos shot a base hit through the hole on the right side to push across Zimmerman. Desmond, who advanced to third on the previous play, scored on a Tom Kahnle wild pitch to push the spread to 6-2.

Espinosa's RBI triple in the ninth capped the scoring and gave Washington a 7-2 advantage.

Game Notes

Desmond's homer was his 17th of the season, while Espinosa's triple was his 11th ... Washington went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position, while Colorado finished 2-for-7.