Washington Nationals Drop Series Finale To Rockies, 5-3

Lucas Giolito had his longest outing of the season, but the Washington Nationals lost the series finale against the Rockies

Today, Lucas Giolito was called up to make his fourth career start for the Washington Nationals (75-55). While Giolito went five innings for the first time in his career, the offense managed three runs on solo home runs by Trea Turner, Wilson Ramos, and Bryce Harper. The Nats ended up losing the game to the Colorado Rockies (62-68) 5-2. With that loss, they lost this weekend’s series and the season series to Colorado.

Colorado got on the board against Giolito in the top of the first. With Charlie Blackmon on third and one out, Nolan Arenado hit a base hit to center to give the Rockies a 1-0. It would be the first of four hits today for Arenado (4-for-4).

Turner would help the Washington Nationals tie the game in the bottom of the first against Chad Bettis. He hit a 2-1 fastball over the wall in left for a solo home run. It was Turner’s fifth home run of the season. The Nats’ center fielder went 2-for-4 today as he recorded his sixth straight multi-hit game.

During the top of the third inning, the Rockies hit two home runs, which ended up being the difference in the game. Arenado hit a two-run home run to left, his 35^th of the season, to put the Rockies up 3-1. On the next pitch, David Dahl made it 4-1 with a solo home run to left (his fifth of the season).

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While Giolito had his longest outing in terms of innings pitched, he still has yet to record his first Major League win. Giolito went five innings, gave up four runs on six hits, struck out two, and walked two on 100 pitches (64 strikes) in the loss.

Ramos would try to get the Washington Nationals back in the game when he crushed a home run to left to lead off the seventh inning. Ramos’ 20^th home run of the season cut the deficit to 4-2, but that would be the last run the Nats would score against Bettis. The Rockies’ right-hander went seven innings, gave up two runs on five hits, struck out six, and walked one on 106 pitches (69 strikes) in the win.

Koda Glover would give up an insurance run in the top of the eighth, but it came on a weird play. Daniel Descalso was on on second with one out when Glover hit home play umpire Mike Muchlinski on the shoulder with a fastball. Ramos was not able to find the ball, which allowed Descalso to score all the way from second on the wild pitch.

Next: Bullpen Issues Continue To Plague Nats

In the bottom of the ninth, Harper led off the inning with a solo home run to right center against Boone Logan. Harper’s 23^rd of the season made it a two-run game. After the home run, Walt Weiss brought in his closer, Adam Ottavino, to get the final three outs. Ottavino ended up retiring the next three hitters he faced to earn his second save of the year.

Next Game: The Washington Nationals will begin a three game series against the Philadelphia Phillies (59-70) tomorrow night at Citizens Bank Park. You can watch the game on MASN2 at 7:05 p.m ET. Tanner Roark (13-7, 2.99 ERA) will get the start for the Nats against Jake Thompson (1-3, 9.78) for the Phillies.