The Colorado Rockies could not finish off a sweep of the Washington Nationals, dropping the nightcap of Sunday’s doubleheader, 3-1.
Despite the loss, the Rockies leave the nation’s capital with a series win, a 12-12 record in the month of July and Jonathan Lucroy.
In a nightcap that lasted just two hours, 31 minutes, all four runs were scored in the fifth inning. The Rockies scored theirs after starting pitcher Jon Gray drew a walk from Edwin Jackson, moved to second on a Charlie Blackmon single and scored on Gerardo Parra’s base hit, giving the Rockies a 1-0 lead.
The Nationals answered back in the bottom of the inning with a pair of home runs against Gray, a two-run homer by Adam Lind and a solo shot by Brian Goodwin, taking a 3-1 lead they would not relinquish. The two long balls were the only real blemishes for Gray, who allowed three runs, all earned, on four hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out eight.
After an off day Monday, the Rockies will open a six-game homestand Tuesday against the New York Mets, with Jeff Hoffman on the mound against Steven Matz. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. Mountain time.