Nolan Arenado stepped to the plate and singled.
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Despite some uneven performances, Gonzalez gave up just two runs and four hits in six innings Friday as the Nationals beat the Colorado Rockies 8-5 for the 100th win in the career of the Florida native. “On video (Sunday) it wasn’t that”, Arenado said. “With his length the ball gets on you”. It is not a comfortable at bat, I will say that.
The lefty from the Miami area will be opposed by Rockies right-hander Jeff Hoffman (0-1, 13.50), who will be seeking his first career win in his second Major League Baseball start. His curveball is pretty sharp.
After a rough debut last Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, Hoffman showed progress on Friday night, keeping the Rockies close during his six innings before the Washington Nationals scored four runs in the seventh and held on for an 8-5 victory. Harper’s 23 of the season made it a two-run game. “Everything was working”, Bettis said.
“I feel really grateful for the opportunity”, said Hoffman, who was acquired from the Blue Jays in the trade for Troy Tulowitzki. “It’s always a different lineup when DJ’s not in there, so to have him back was obviously a real good boost”. He used it well today.
Giolito retired seven straight batters between the first and third, but after a two-out, two-strike single to center by Carlos Gonzalez in the Rockies’ third, Nolan Arenado lined an 0-2 fastball out to left and David Dahl took a first-pitch fastball the other way in the next at bat for a solo shot that landed in the left field bullpen.
Logan gave up a homer to Harper in the ninth, making it 5-3.
Koda Glover would give up an insurance run in the top of the eighth, but it came on a weird play.
After allowing seven runs six earned in four innings against the NL Central-leading Cubs, Hoffman (0-2) allowed four runs three earned against Washington, the first-place team in the NL East. “It could have been a one-run game”. Arenado, who went 4 for 4, has 35 home runs this season. No. 20 for Ramos in 2016. He gave up three runs and five hits in 2 1/3 innings. Going from 199 to 200 took considerably longer, but Gonzalez finally hit the 200th home run of his career Saturday against the Washington Nationals, becoming the fifth player in franchise history to do so, joining Dante Bichette (201), Vinny Castilla (239), Larry Walker (258), and Todd Helton (369).
He hit a 2-1 fastball over the wall in left for a solo home run. Giolito permitted two earned runs and four hits in 3 1/3 innings versus San Diego on July 24.WALK-OFFS1.
“The future is bright, for sure”, Weiss said of Giolito. “I have heard a lot about him and for good reason”.
Colorado Rockies’ David Dahl (26) celebrates his home run during the third inning of a baseball game as Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos, left, looks on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, in Washington.
Arenado had an RBI single in the first to give Colorado a 1-0 lead.
Nick Hundley, who had driven in a run earlier in the game and was responsible for the only runs in the game that came in on hits for the Rockies, made the game close (ish) with a three-run jack in the top of the ninth. “That was a game-changer”.
The Rockies (62-68) are 4-2 this year against the Nationals (75-55), who began the day eight games ahead of the Miami Marlins.
Washington first baseman Ryan Zimmerman ended the game with a flyout to right as Ottavino got his second save.
“It was a small glimpse of what he can do”, Bettis said of Ottavino. His two-out hit scored Raburn, who doubled in front of Hundley.
Nationals: RHP Joe Ross (right shoulder inflammation) allowed one run on three hits in one inning Sunday in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Syracuse.
Cole will be opposed Saturday afternoon by Jorge De La Rosa (8-7, 5.07 ERA), who is 5-2 with a 3.92 ERA in 11 starts versus Washington.
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“It just shouldn’t happen”, Harper said of Winters’ third-strike call.
