How's that saying go? Momentum is only as good as tomorrow's starter. Well, tomorrow is today and the starter is Jeff Francis. We last saw Francis on June 28 against the Detroit Tigers for six innings. He allowed five runs on 11 hits (his third-highest total this season) and two walks. And we know it wasn't always pretty before that start:
Last season that whole momentum thing worked well with Francis, after having lost four consecutive games between April 16 and May 2. Francis only lost back-to-back games once more that season, and that wasn't until September 8 and 13.
Jorge De La Rosa came up big and Stewie continued to show he can hit lefties (and with power). But while Tulo notes that Stewie's pinch-hit homer provided the momentum the team needed to come back, the Rockies basically sat back after that and saw the Nats rout themselves in a "bizarre eighth inning." You take the win however you can, but let's see the bats appear a little stronger tonight to help what hopefully will be good momentum provided by Francis' return.
Instant replay was being tested at Citizens Bank Park last night, but couldn't be used to help determine if Shane Victorino's homer was, in fact, a homer.