Rockies 5, Nationals 2: Colorado clinches playoff berth

The Colorado Rockies took another huge step towards winning their first ever NL West title. The Rockies hit four home runs to score five runs and Kyle Freeland managed to allow only two runs while giving up 11 hits in his six innings of work to lead the Rockies to a victory.

That wasn’t easy

While his final run total was very acceptable, how Freeland got there was some escape work that would have made Harry Houdini envious. He stranded seven runners in the first three innings of work, including leaving the bases loaded in the second and third. He set a personal season high with 11 hits allowed, but outside of a Trea Turne two run-triple he kept the Nationals from scoring and earned his 17th win. Freeland’s ext start will hopefully be at Coors Field in the NLDS.

Fireworks before the fireworks

Tonight was scheduled to be the fan appreciation fireworks show after the game. During the game, the Rockies hitters provided their own fireworks against the Nationals pitching.

This solo shot by Charlie Blackmon put the Rockies on the board and gave them an early 1-0 lead despite being out-hit 7-2 in the third inning.

After the Nationals took the lead 2-1 in the fourth, the Rockies hitters answered back in a big way in the fifth inning with back-to-back jacks.

Not to be left out of things, David Dahl decided that the sixth inning was a fitting time to extend his home-run streak to five games.

Up Next

By the time the Rockies play tomorrow night, and they could have clinched the NL West title if the Dodgers lose both tonight and tomorrow afternoon. If not, the Rockies can clinch tomorrow night if the Dodgers lost just one of those games. Jon Gray will pitch tomorrow night for the Rockies with a start time at 6:10 pm MT once again.