It's the final game of the first half of the regular season for the Colorado Rockies and it's coming none too soon. They recovered from a half week of hell that saw Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki each incur an injury and they were swept by the Atlanta Braves. A trip to Washington has helped alleviate the pain, and on Sunday afternoon the Rockies will look for the sweep.
The Rockies turn to Jhoulys Chacin (8-6, 3.28 ERA), the anchor of the rotation this season. After a stellar June was marred by a start in which he allowed six runs, Chacin didn't fare any better when July started. He allowed four runs in five innings and walked six (though he did strike out five, for what comfort that may be).
The Nationals will have Jordan Zimmermann (5-7, 2.82 ERA) on the mound Sunday afternoon in one of his few remaining starts this season. Zimmermann is back from Tommy John surgery and is already at 108.2 innings. He will be limited to 160 innings for the entire season and will pitch out of the fifth spot in the rotation after the All-Star Break. He enjoyed an outstanding June, going 3-1 in six starts with a 0.85 ERA (5 runs allowed in 42.1 IP) and 27 strikeouts. But July didn't start of too great. The Nats did beat the Cubs, 5-4, but he picked up the no-decision after allowing four runs in six innings.
First pitch is scheduled for 11:35 a.m. MT. Check out ROOT Sports and 850KOA for live coverage.
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