Moments That Mattered: The Wheels Come Off

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Coors Field and the Rockies’ offense claimed two victims today.

Dan Haren and Drew Storen both got lit up in the 8-3 loss. With the departures of Henry Rodriguez and Zach Duke, those two are the two pitchers most likely to be lit up, so it does not come as a huge surprise. However, their recent surprise makes what happened a bit unexpected. Haren had allowed just two hits through four innings before immediately walking Wilin Rosario and giving up a game-tying homer to Tyler Colvin. Two outs later, Carlos Gonzalez hit a three-run homer to put the Nats in a hole they would not climb out of. Storen was riding a long streak of scoreless appearances before getting torched for three runs today. While they shoulder some of the blame, the offense does as well, for scoring only three runs on eight hits in an extreme hitter’s park. The Nationals are seemingly unable to string a series of good games together.

Most Important Nationals Hit: Denard Span‘s two-run double (+14.2%)

June 11, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Denard Span (2) during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The second inning was a microcosm of timely hitting for the Nats. A sac bunt by the pitcher put two runners in scoring position with two outs. Span did what not many Nats have done this year: get a hit with either runners in scoring position or two outs, let alone both. His double scored two runs and gave the Nats a nice, early 2-0 lead. Sadly, it would slip from their grasp.

Most Important Nationals Pitch: Carlos Gonzalez’s three-run home run (-24.9%)

Gonzalez’s blast was the nail in the coffin for what had been a solid outing by Haren. After giving up the homer to Colvin, he got a strikeout but let up a walk and a double to put two runners in scoring position for Gonzalez. Their positioning, of course, was of little import to Gonzalez, who brought everyone home. Haren is now the sole MLB leader in home runs allowed.

Champ of the Game: Span (+12.2%) was the team’s lone bright spot, going 1-4 with a walk and his extremely timely two-RBI double. For the Rockies, Colvin (+20.8%) was 2-4 with two homers and four RBI.

Chump of the Game: Haren (-24.2%) barely made it through the fifth inning and ended up with an ugly line: 5 IP, 8 H, 2 HR, 5 ER. His rough season unfortunately continues. Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado (-7.6%) was 2-5, but grounded out with runners on second and third and one out in the fifth.