The Colorado Rockies didn't let their recent sweep by the Philadelphia Phillies keep them down in their series with the Washington Nationals. The Rockies picked up a 6-3 victory on Wednesday night on a solid effort by Esmil Rogers.
Rogers (5-1, 6.35 ERA) ran into a bit of trouble in the first inning when he allowed an RBI single after a leadoff base knock and a walk put two men on base. Michael Morse did the damage, but that was all the Nationals were able to do against Rogers. He pitched 5-2/3 innings, scattered seven hits and struck out six. He worked out of jams in the third and fifth innings when Ryan Zimmerman hit a double and a single, respectively.
The Rockies didn't get their first hit off of Ross Detwiler (1-1, 2.66 ERA) until the fourth inning, After Todd Helton worked a walk, Troy Tulowitzki moved him over to second on a single. A Ty Wigginton single scored Helton from second base, but a Chris Nelson single to right field was shallow and allowed for a throw at home plate, putting Tulowitzki out at the base.
Chris Iannetta led off the fifth inning with a double, moved to second on a Rogers sacrifice and came around to score on an Eric Young Jr. single. Tulowitzki followed in the sixth inning with his 21st home run of the season for a 3-1 lead.
In the eighth inning, former Rockies reliever Ryan Mattheus entered and allowed three runs. Nelson doubled in Todd Helton, who had reached on a walk. The bases were still loaded when Mattheus hit Iannetta to score a run and walked Young Jr. for a sixth run.
Huston Street came in for the bottom of the ninth and ran into problems. Brian Bixler hit into a fielder's choice, which wound up putting out Wilson Ramos at second base. Rick Ankiel singled to put men on first and second base. Ryan Zimmerman doubled in the two of them, but Street got Morse to fly out to end the game.
The Rockies (52-60, 27-29 home) continue the series on Friday at 6:40 p.m. MT. Jordan Zimmermann and Juan Nicasio are the expected starters.
For more on the Nationals, visit Federal Baseball and SB Nation DC. As always, check out Purple Row.