Rotation's renaissance leads Rockies' rebound in suddenly competitive NL West

Rotation's renaissance leads Rockies' rebound in suddenly competitive NL West
As the 2020 season began, the Rockies weren't considered a legitimate playoff contender, not even in a 60-game season. After all, they finished last in 2019 with a rotation that had the highest ERA (5.87) in the National League. And the Rockies didn't bother to fix their starting staff. That brought second-guessing from critics. Colorado stuck with Jon Gray, Germán Márquez, Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela, four pitchers that helped them get to the playoffs in 2017 and 2018 who...
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Corbin, bullpen find a way to complete twinbill sweep over Rockies

Corbin, bullpen find a way to complete twinbill sweep over Rockies
Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin provided another sterling example of how good a pitcher he can be Wednesday night, battling Colorado starter Kyle Freeland for six innings and hanging on for a 2-0 win and doubleheader sweep over the Rockies. Despite having to throw 27 pitches in the first inning, Corbin got out of a jam to begin the game. Charlie Blackmon singled to leadoff the game, followed by a Trevor Story walk. But Corbin managed to get Nolan Arenado to ground into a 5-4-3 double play....
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Corbin taxed early but keeps score down (Nats win 2-0)

Corbin taxed early but keeps score down (Nats win 2-0)
Left-hander Patrick Corbin was wild to begin game two, having to labor to just get out of the first inning. The southpaw allowed a leadoff single to Charlie Blackmon and two walks in the first inning but escaped without allowing a run thanks to a big double play ignited by Anthony Rendon. However, Corbin was taxed for 27 pitches. Then Corbin fired three strikeouts in the second inning. In the third, the Rockies Trevor Story belted a one-out triple. But Corbin managed to wiggle out of trouble...
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Game 101 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies (game to start at 8:45 p.m.)

Game 101 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies (game to start at 8:45 p.m.)
The Nationals edged the Rockies 3-2 in Game 1 of today's doubleheader at Nationals Park. The Nats are now through 100 games in the 2019 campaign, sporting a 35-15 record since May 24, and are 22-9 since May 2 at Nats Park and have swept three straight doubleheaders. Tonight they look for four in a row. The Rockies are going in the opposite direction: 7-20 since June 21 and 3-15 since June 30. After the first game, the Nationals optioned right-hander Erick Fedde to Triple-A Fresno and called up...
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Game 99 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies (game postponed)

Game 99 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies (game postponed)
The Nationals wanted to win at least three of four in Atlanta this weekend. But they instead hold steady at 6 1/2 games back in the National League East after splitting four games, falling 7-1 in Sunday night's series finale at SunTrust Park. Now the Nats return home for 10 games through July 31, beginning with four games against the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers and Braves also visit D.C. this week and next. The Rockies are in a mile-high tailspin, losers of seven out of their first nine...
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Opposite dugout: A lot on line for Rockies in final regular season series

Opposite dugout: A lot on line for Rockies in final regular season series
Manager: Bud Black (2nd season) Record: 89-70 Last 10 games: 7-3 (update) Who to watch: 3B Nolan Arenado (.296/.374/.545 with 34 HR, 105 RBIs), SS Trevor Story (.291/.346/.562 with 35 HR, 105 RBIs, 26 SB), CF Charlie Blackmon (.287, 26 HR), 2B DJ LeMahieu (15 HR, 61 RBIs), 1B Ian Desmond (21 HR, 86 RBIs), RHP Kyle Freeland (16-7, 2.84 ERA), RHP Wade Davis (42 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-1 Pitching probables: Sept. 28: RHP Joe Ross (0-1) vs. LHP Kyle Freeland (16-7), 8:10 p.m., MASN2...
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Stagnant offense, sloppy defense contribute to 5-1 loss

Stagnant offense, sloppy defense contribute to 5-1 loss
The Nationals offense was clicking well in the season's first four games. In three wins at Cincinnati and then the first game at Atlanta, the bats put together 29 runs on 38 hits, racing out to a 4-0 record. Since Monday, April 2, however, the offense has slowed down. The club has won only two of their last nine games. Their two wins in the last 10 days were by scores of 2-0 and 4-1, with major contributions from Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg in those two games. The 1-2 duo combined to...
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LeMahieu solves Gonzalez; offense searching (Rockies win 5-1)

LeMahieu solves Gonzalez; offense searching (Rockies win 5-1)
Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez struggled a bit early on, but his defense didn't exactly do him any favors either. DJ LeMahieu led off with a solo shot to left-center on a 1-1 pitch. With a man on and two outs, former Nats star Ian Desmond popped up behind second base. Howie Kendrick dropped the fly ball for an error, allowing Chris Iannetta to score. In the second inning, LeMahieu continued to solve Gonzalez with an RBI double. Manwhile, Chad Bettis did a nice job through three frames...
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Martinez on Eaton, bench-clearing brawls, plus other notes

Martinez on Eaton, bench-clearing brawls, plus other notes
Nationals manager Davey Martinez had some good news on the progress of outfielder Adam Eaton who is on the disabled list with a left ankle bone bruise. Martinez predicted it might be a short stay on the 10-day for Eaton. "I saw him today and he's getting his workouts in," Martinez said. "We miss him on the field, but it's actually pretty good that he's able to continue to do his strengthening for his knees. But he'll be back. I think he's going to be back sooner than we think. He's...
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Opposite Dugout: Up-and-down Rockies awaiting word on brawl-related discipline

Opposite Dugout: Up-and-down Rockies awaiting word on brawl-related discipline
Manager: Bud Black (3rd year) Record: 6-7 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: CF Charlie Blackmon (4 HR, 6 RBIs), 3B Nolan Arenado (.311 with 1 HR, 6 RBIs), SS Trevor Story (3 HR, 6 RBIs), 2B DJ LeMahieu (.308 with 2 HR, 4 RBIs), RF Carlos González (2 HR, 6 RBIs), RHP Chad Bettis (1-0, 2.53 ERA), RHP Wade Davis (3.38 ERA, 5 saves) ​ Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (3-4 in 2017) Pitching probables: April 12: RHP Chad Bettis (1-0) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (1-0) 7:05 p.m., MASN...
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David Huzzard: Nats need not concern themselves with playoff matchups

David Huzzard: Nats need not concern themselves with playoff matchups
There is going to be a side story to the Dodgers-Nationals series this weekend, and like many side stories, it is flat and pointless, a time-filler to help get to the end of the season. Kind of like my run on sentences. This story is not a tale as old as time but it is one that is asked all the time of fans, players, media and front office staff: Who would you rather play in the first round? The Cubs have suffered a World Series hangover and limped through the season, but still have Anthony...
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Lind, Goodwin and Difo highlight a complete Nats offense

Lind, Goodwin and Difo highlight a complete Nats offense
The Nationals offense, especially their 3-4-5-6 hitters, has set the tone for a high scoring band of brothers that makes most National League starters uncomfortable. However, with Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman out of the starting lineup in the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Rockies on Sunday, runs were certain to be at a premium. Rockies starter Jon Gray threw a perfect game for four innings. It was the second time in the series the Nats had gone without a hit or a baserunner for at...
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Edwin Jackson provides boost again as Nats prevent series sweep

Edwin Jackson provides boost again as Nats prevent series sweep
The Nationals got another major boost from veteran Edwin Jackson. After signing June 16, Jackson returned to pitching for the Nats July 18 in a 4-3 win at Anaheim. He went seven innings that night and surrendered only two runs on three hits. Then came an 8-0 setback against Milwaukee in which he gave up seven runs (three earned) in five innings for the loss. Sunday night the Nats desperately needed innings after the bullpen had been taxed in Game 1 of a doubleheader when manager Dusty Baker had...
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Pitchers dominate early in Game 2 (Nats win 3-1)

Pitchers dominate early in Game 2 (Nats win 3-1)
As one might expect after a long, drawn-out first game, the start of the second game of the doubleheader has been dominated by the quality pitching of Nationals right-hander Edwin Jackson and Rockies right-hander Jon Gray. Jackson has allowed two hits but has struck out five in the first three innings. Gray has countered by retiring nine straight hitters and striking out four. Game 1 went to the Rockies 10-6 and lasted three hours and 48 minutes. After three innings, the Nats and Rockies are...
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Game 103 lineups: Rockies at Nats

Game 103 lineups: Rockies at Nats
An extended game one that turned into a difficult 10-6 loss for the Nationals to the Rockies means the first pitch Game 2 of today's doubleheader has been pushed back to 7:40 p.m. EDT. With the way Game 1 went for the Nationals pitching staff, the club hopes veteran Edwin Jackson can eat a good amount of innings before the club embarks on a week-long road trip through Miami and Chicago. Jackson arrives with a 1-1 record and a 4.76 ERA. He will be opposed by Rockies right-hander Jon Gray (3-1,...
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Rockies' Márquez too much for Nats this time in 4-2 setback

Rockies' Márquez too much for Nats this time in 4-2 setback
The Nationals faced off against a hot pitcher in German Márquez and lost to Colorado 4-2. There was a big chance for the Nats to get back in the game in the sixth with their newest hitter Howie Kendrick in the middle of the rally, but it fell a little bit short. Kendrick's pinch-hit double and a two-run single by Wilmer Difo were the highlights for the Nats, but the night belonged to Márquez and the Rockies bullpen. Márquez struck out a career-high 10 and did not allow a hit or a base...
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Strasburg has solid bullpen session plus notes on Werth and trade deadline

Strasburg has solid bullpen session plus notes on Werth and trade deadline
Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg took a solid step forward in his recovery from a right elbow nerve impingement with a smooth bullpen session on Saturday, according to general manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo. Right-hander Erick Fedde will be called up Sunday to make his major league debut as Strasburg takes at least one start off. "He threw a bullpen today and came through it very well," Rizzo said. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow and feel it from...
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Postponed: Sunday split doubleheader scheduled

Postponed: Sunday split doubleheader scheduled
The Nationals announced tonight's game against the Colorado Rockies has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up Sunday night as part of a day-night doubleheader. There will be separate admissions for Sunday's two games. Tickets for tonight's game will be honored for Sunday night's game. If you had tickets for tonight's game and cannot make Sunday's game, you can exchange your tickets online at nationals.com/rain. Manager Dusty Baker was asked about where a...
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Opposite dugout: Rockies hope potent offense carries them to postseason

Opposite dugout: Rockies hope potent offense carries them to postseason
Manager: Bud Black (1st season) Record: 58-45 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 2B DJ LeMahieu (.312), 3B Nolan Arenado (.313 with 23 HR, 89 RBIs), 1B Mark Reynolds (22 HR, 70 RBIs), CF Charlie Blackmon (.326/.379/.609), LHP Kyle Freeland (10-7, 3.64 ERA), RHP Greg Holland (31 saves, 1.72 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 1-3 Pitching probables: July 28: RHP German Márquez vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 29: LHP Kyle Freeland vs. RHP Erick Fedde, 7:05 p.m., MASN July 30: RHP Jon...
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Ross allowing too many home runs in first three starts

Ross allowing too many home runs in first three starts
With the unusual conditions in Denver, a start where your breaking ball doesn't break and your velocity is a tick off might be brushed aside. But when you can't go six or seven innings for the second straight start, is that cause for concern? Right-hander Joe Ross was held back at Triple-A Syracuse a couple of weeks before a fifth starter was needed in the Nationals rotation. Was that strategy simply meant to lessen Ross' work load? Or was it also a red flag concerning where his stamina is...
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