|
 First baseman Ben Paulsen singled home the winning run with one out
in the seventh as the Rockies won for just the second time in 12
games and avoided being swept in the three-game series.
The loss dropped the Nationals four games behind the idle New York
Mets in the National League East.
Shortstop Jose Reyes led off the seventh with a single. It was his
third hit of the game and finished Nationals starter Max Scherzer
after 103 pitches. Reliever Felipe Rivero gave up a single to right
fielder Carlos Gonzalez, the only batter Rivero faced. After Blake
Treinen struck out third baseman Nolan Arenado, Paulsen looped a
go-ahead single to center.
Scott Oberg relieved Flande (3-1) and set the Nationals down in
order in the eighth.
John Axford, who was returned to the closer's role Monday, gave up a
leadoff single to right fielder Bryce Harper in the ninth. After
third baseman Yunel Escobar and shortstop Ian Desmond struck out,
first baseman Ryan Zimmerman walked. But Axford struck out center
fielder Michael Taylor to earn his 17th save and first since July
10.
Flande was cruising along until he issued a two-out walk in the
seventh. He paid for it when Taylor followed with a first-pitch
homer to left-center that tied the game a 2-2. It was Taylor's 11th
homer of the season.
Flande allowed three hits with three walks and five strikeouts and
got through seven innings on 89 pitches. His previous career high
was 6 2/3 innings on July 28, 2014, at Chicago against the Cubs, and
his previous season high was six innings against the Padres in his
last start Friday.
In addition to going toe-to-toe with Scherzer (11-10) and
out-pitching him, Flande helped himself at the plate. His infield
hit with two outs in the sixth put the Rockies ahead 2-0. With a
runner on third, Flande chopped a bouncer past Scherzer and beat
Desmond's throw. Coupled with the opposite-field single he flared to
left in the fifth, Flande had a career-high two hits in the game and
had his first career RBI and run scored.
[to top of second column] |
The Rockies broke through for a run in the fifth. The rally began
with an opposite-field flare by Flande. Center fielder Charlie
Blackmon lined a single, and Reyes rifled a run-scoring double into
the right field corner.
NOTES: C Dustin Garneau became the fourth player to make his major
league debut with the Rockies this season. The others are RHPs Jon
Gray and Scott Oberg and LHP Ken Roberts. Garneau singled in his
first at-bat. ... Colorado released OF Drew Stubbs. The Rockies
designated him for assignment Aug. 12, but since Stubbs is making
$5,825,000 this season, he was not claimed off waivers by any team.
In 49 games with the Rockies, Stubbs hit .216 with two homers, five
RBIs and 50 strikeouts. ... Nationals CF Denard Span (back
tightness) and 2B Dan Uggla (back spasms) will continue their rehab
assignments Friday at Double-A Harrisburg. They were supposed to
play Thursday with low Class A Hagerstown, but the game was rained
out. ... Nationals RHP David Carpenter (right shoulder inflammation)
will resume his rehab assignment by throwing 20-25 pitches Friday
for high Class A Potomac, where he threw one inning Wednesday in his
first rehab outing.
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
