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Nationals: Werth’s On-Base Streak Reaches 44 In Loss To Rockies

By Ricky Keeler

Aug 16, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) tags out Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) on a double by left fielder David Dahl (not pictured) in the seventh inning at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) tags out Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) on a double by left fielder David Dahl (not pictured) in the seventh inning at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite Jayson Werth breaking the team on-base record, the Nationals lost the second game of their series against the Rockies

On a night where Jayson Werth set the Washington Nationals team record for the longest consecutive on-base streak (44 games), the game was delayed for two hours and five minutes because of rain. After the delay, the Rockies broke a 2-2 tie with a run in the fourth and three in the seventh as they defeated the Nationals by a final score of 6-2 at Coors Field.

Both teams were scoreless until the top of the third inning. With one out, Werth singled to left to break Ryan Zimmerman’s on-base streak (2009). After a Daniel Murphy single, Bryce Harper hit a groundout to short, which scored Werth. The play was ruled a single, but the call was overturned on replay. Then, Wilson Ramos extended the Nationals lead to 2-0 with a single to right. Those two runs came against Rockies starter Chad Bettis.

However, that lead would not last for long. Tonight’s starter, Gio Gonzalez, gave up a double to Charlie Blackmon with one out in the bottom of the third. Then, DJ LeMahieu hit a breaking ball over the left center field wall for a two-run home run, his ninth of the season, which tied the game. LeMahieu went 3-for-3 in the game and is now 7-for-7 in this series.

After the third inning, the game was delayed by rain and Gonzalez’s night ended up being cut short. He went three innings, gave up two runs on four hits, and struck out two on 60 pitches (36 strikes). Once the rain stopped, Yusmeiro Petit was the pitcher for the Nationals.

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Petit got out of trouble in the fourth, but the fifth inning wasn’t as kind to him. Nolan Arenado gave the Rockies the lead with a RBI groundout to third, which drove in LeMahieu (tripled with one out). Petit went three innings, gave up one run on three hits, and struck out two in the loss.

The Rockies would break the game open with three more runs in the bottom of the seventh. Oliver Perez gave up a one out double to Gerardo Parra and walked Blackmon. Dusty Baker would go to Blake Treinen after that walk, but Treinen walked LeMahieu to load the bases. Then, Arenado picked up his second RBI of the night on a sacrifice fly to center.

Two batters later, with the Rockies up 4-2, pinch-hitter David Dahl hit a two-run double to left. Despite the Nationals defense being able to throw Carlos Gonzalez out at the plate, the lead for the Rockies increased to 6-2.

Tonight, the Washington Nationals offense went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, but there were some bright spots. Murphy picked up another multi-hit game (2-for-4) while Anthony Rendon was 3-for-4 with a double.

Next: District Daily: How Good Is The Nationals Bullpen?

Colorado’s bullpen ended up shutting out the Nationals for the final six innings as they gave up only four hits (all singles). The win went to Chris Rusin, who came in after the rain delay for Bettis. He went three innings, gave up three hits, and struck out two.

Next Game: The Washington Nationals (70-48) will go for the series win later today against the Colorado Rockies (57-63). You can watch the game on MASN at 3:10 p.m ET. Stephen Strasburg (15-3, 3.07 ERA) gets the start for the Nationals against Jon Gray (8-6, 4.66) for the Rockies.

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