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Jayson Werth, Bryce Harper lead Washington Nationals to win over Rockies

By Pablo Roa

Aug 1, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jayson Werth’s on-base streak tied the franchise record and Bryce Harper delivered at the plate, as the Washington Nationals defeated the Rockies in the first game of the series in Colorado.

Good teams are able to win every fifth day when their ace is on the mound and on his game. Great teams, however, are able to win even when their ace has a rough game. Tonight, that’s exactly what the Washington Nationals did in Colorado.

Despite a rocky outing from starter Max Scherzer, the Nationals defeated the Rockies, 5-4, thanks to a jolt from the offense and a shutdown performance from the bullpen.

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While things ended well for the Nationals, they didn’t start that way.

The Rockies scored three runs off of Scherzer in the bottom of the first inning. They made it a 2-0 game on a two-run double off the bat of David Dahl. A sacrifice fly by Daniel Descalso later in the frame stretched Colorado’s lead to 3-0.

In the top of the third inning, the Nationals got two of those runs back on a two-run homer by Jayson Werth. It was the second big moment of the game for Werth, as the veteran outfielder matched a franchise record by getting on base for the 43rd straight game in the first inning.

The Rockies got a run right back, however, when a solo homer by Charlie Blackmon in the bottom of the fourth gave them a 4-2 lead.

All four runs were charged to Scherzer, who pitched four innings and allowed seven hits, while striking out just three batters and walking two.

Fortunately for Scherzer, the Nationals’ offense wasn’t going to let him go home a loser. An RBI single by Daniel Murphy made it a 4-3 game in the top of the fifth. A solo shot by Wilson Ramos an inning later tied the game at 4-4, before an RBI double by Bryce Harper in the seventh gave the Nats a 5-4 lead.

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Relievers Matt Belisle, Sammy Solis, Blake Treinen, Shawn Kelley and Mark Melancon combined to throw five scoreless innings, securing an impressive 5-4 win for the Nationals.

Next Up: The Nationals and Rockies will be back in action tomorrow night for the second game of the series. Gio Gonzalez gets the start for the Nationals, while Chad Bettis takes the mound for the rockies. First pitch is set for 8:40 p.m. ET.

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