Washington Nationals Recap: Drew Storen Struggles Again in 6-4 Loss To Rockies
For the second time in this three game series, the Washington Nationals set-up man, Drew Storen, failed to keep the opposition off the board, and the Nationals dropped today’s game against the Rockies, 6-4 to fall to 57-53 on the season. In spite of a pair of solo shots from Ryan Zimmerman, Max Scherzer struggled and the Nats offense once again failed to come through in a critical situation in a 6-4 loss.
The scoring got started early in the top of the first. Max Scherzer hung a breaking ball to a red-hot Carlos Gonzalez, who deposited the mistake over the right field fence for a 1-0 Rockies lead.
The Nationals struck back the next inning and took the lead. Ryan Zimmerman led off the inning with a solo shot to the deepest part of the ballpark, driving in a run for the seventh straight game. Jayson Werth, back in the lineup after having the day off on Saturday, followed with a home run of his own, and the Nationals held a 2-1 lead. That lead would stretch to 3-1 in the bottom of the third, when Ryan Zimmerman went solo to center field once again.
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It was then Colorado’s turn to rally. In the top of the fourth, Daniel Descalso cut the Nationals lead to one with a solo homer. Two innings later, Carlos Gonzalez put a solo shot into the second deck. It was CarGo’s second homer of the day, and his 12th since the All Star break. Then, after a double and an intentional walk by Scherzer, Kyle Parker hit a single to left field that Jayson Werth could not handle. Ben Paulsen scored, and the Rockies led 4-3.
Washington would tie the score at four in the bottom of the sixth. Werth led off the inning with a walk, followed by a Wilson Ramos single (which should have been a double) off the top of the wall. With runners at the corners, Michael Taylor hit a ball to third. When Nolan Arenado threw home, the ball hit Jayson Werth, which caused Werth to score and allowed the Nats to tie the game. Unfortunately, the Nats could do no further damage as Clint Robinson and Yunel Escobar followed that up with strikeouts.
After the Nationals avoided damage in the top of the seventh, they were not so lucky in the top of the eighth. Ben Paulsen led off the inning with a single, and Michael McKenry reached when he was hit by a pitch while attempting to a bunt. After a sacrifice bunt and a grounder back to the mound, it looked like Storen would escape without coughing up a run. But DJ LeMahieu singled to left field, and the Rockies scored two to take a 6-4 lead.
Jonathan Papelbon finally managed to see some action in to the top of the ninth, and he pitched a perfect inning. The Nationals attempted a rally in the bottom of the frame, loading the bases with one out, but they were unable to push any runs across, and the game ended in a 6-4 loss. While the Nats didn’t lose any ground thanks to the Rays beating the Mets, Washington missed a prime opportunity to cut their deficit in the division to a half game.
Tomorrow, the Nationals will head out to Los Angeles to kick off their last west coast trip of the season. Gio Gonzalez (8-4, 3.75 ERA) will look to get the Nats back on track against Brett Anderson (6-6, 3.06 ERA) of the Dodgers. You can catch the game on MASN at 10:10 PM ET.
Notes:
- Ryan Zimmerman continues to be the hottest hitter on the team. With his two solo home runs, he’s driven in a run in seven straight games. While Clint Robinson filled in admirably at first in Zimm’s absence, it’s nice to have their starter back and hitting well.
- I’ve admittedly been openly critical of Jayson Werth this season, but Werth looks like he’s starting to get his timing back. While he was unable to get the job done in the ninth, he went 2-for-4 with two runs and a walk, including a home run, on Saturday. If Werth gets his bat back, I’ll gladly eat a healthy serving of crow. The Nationals are that much better when Werth is clicking at the plate.