Yesterday's game was all the Rockies could hope for in a road win. Get to the opposing starting pitcher early and tack on late. Facing Dan Haren was certainly helpful in getting the Rockies offense back on track and Ross Detwiler may be just what the Rockies need to keep rolling offensively.
Detwiler (2-5 3.34 ERA) has struggled over his last seven starts going 1-5 with a 4.66 ERA. On June 13th, Detwiler faced Colorado and gave up three runs over five innings in a no decision, an eventual 5-4 Nationals win. The Rockies don't have much of a track record against Detwiler having just 36 at bat's against him, however they have a team batting average of .389 off of Detwiler.
Speaking of struggling offenses looking to get back on track the Nationals have been scuffling offensively all season. Washington ranks 29th in runs scored in all of baseball and they have a tall task ahead ahead of them in Jorge De La Rosa.
De La Rosa (7-4 3.21 ERA) was dominant in his last start carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning before leaving after seven shut out innings, allowing just the one base hit. The Rockies were not able to support his cause last time out however as they were shut out 2-0.
De La Rosa reportedly had a numb thumb after his last start, but it is apparently a non issue. The Rockies have been relatively healthy in the starting rotation this year (knock on wood) and they will need De La Rosa going forward. In his last start against Washington De La Rosa worked just five and a third innings and gave up three runs. He was saddled with the loss. But good news for Rockies fans, De La Rosa in his last three road starts has worked exactly seven innings in each and given up just one total run, twice he carried a no-hitter into the 6th.
Also, The Rockies will be wearing purple today. Apparently, De La Rosa is not superstitious as he will forgo wearing the BP tops for a second consecutive game,
#Rockies 6/23 at WSH: Fowler 8, LeMahieu 4, CarGo 7, Cuddy 9, Rosario 2, Pacheco 3, Arenado 5, Rutledge 6, De La Rosa 1.
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 23, 2013
#Nationals lineup vs. COL: Kobernus 8, Rendon 4, Zimmerman 5, Werth 9, Desmond 6, Marrero 3, Suzuki 2, Lombardozzi 7, Detwiler 1
— Nationals PR (@NationalsPR) June 23, 2013