Rockies tally first (Nats relinquish 4-1 lead, fall 8-4)

Rockies tally first (Nats relinquish 4-1 lead, fall 8-4)
DENVER - The Nationals were unable to get much going the first time through the lineup against Rockies left-hander Tyler Anderson. Anderson struck out four of the first seven batters he faced. But with one away in the third, catcher Jose Lobaton blooped a single to right field. Jacob Turner laid down a sacrifice bunt to get Lobaton in scoring position. With two outs, Trea Turner struck out on a changeup to end the threat. Right-hander Jacob Turner allowed three hits in the second, and the...
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Baker updates on Harper, Wieters, bullpen and Solís

Baker updates on Harper, Wieters, bullpen and Solís
DENVER - Nationals manager Dusty Baker said Bryce Harper and Matt Wieters were not in tonight's starting lineup for the opener against the Rockies at Coors Field because they needed a day of rest. With the Nats facing their first left-hander of the season in Tyler Anderson, Baker decided to give the National League Player of the Week and catcher Wieters a day off each. Baker added he is leaning toward platooning his catchers the next few days. "Because Bryce played every day," Baker said on...
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Game 19: Nats at Rockies lineups (Harper gets day off)

Game 19: Nats at Rockies lineups (Harper gets day off)
DENVER - The two teams with the most wins in the National League begin a four-game set tonight here at Coors Field. The Nationals and Rockies each have 13 wins. Only the Astros, in the American League, can match that total. The Nationals (13-5) have the best record percentage-wise at .722. Bryce Harper is not in the Nationals' starting lineup. On the day he was named NL Player of the Week, Harper is geting the first game of the series at Coors Field off. Right-hander Jacob Turner's contract...
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Fedde at Double-A: "He is just better than everyone he's facing"

Fedde at Double-A: "He is just better than everyone he's facing"
DENVER -- Right-hander Jacob Turner is expected to make his initial start with the Nationals tonight here in Denver against the Rockies. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg has been placed on paternity leave with his wife, Rachel, expecting their second child, and likely won't return to the Nats until this weekend's rematch with the Mets. Another pitcher currently in the minor leagues is making a solid statement for inclusion in the spot-start conversation this summer. It is University of...
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Opposite dugout: Rockies living up to hype ... so far

Opposite dugout: Rockies living up to hype ... so far
Manager: Bud Black (1st season) Record: 13-6 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 3B Nolan Arenado (.329 average with 6 HR, 13 RBIs); 1B Mark Reynolds (.318 average with 5 HR, 16 RBIs); CF Charlie Blackmon (.270 average with 20 hits); RHP Antonio Senzatela (3-0, 2.08 ERA); RHP Greg Holland (2.00 ERA, 9 saves). Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (4-2 in 2016) Pitching probables: April 24: RHP Jacob Turner vs. LHP Tyler Anderson, 8:40 p.m., MASN2April 25: RHP Joe Ross vs. TBA, 8:40 p.m.,...
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It's early, but 10-game road trip provides Nats test of endurance

It's early, but 10-game road trip provides Nats test of endurance
It is still only April, but in any month this upcoming road trip would be a tough one. It's a 10-game, 11-day trip through Atlanta, New York and Denver. The Braves (5-6, winners of four straight) have a young team riding the emotion of opening a brand new baseball stadium they are proud to show the world. The Mets (7-6, losers of three straight) look to repeat their 2015 run to the World Series as the Nationals' toughest division rival. The Rockies (9-5, winners of two straight) have proven...
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Did the Rockies improve their bullpen enough to compete in NL West?

Did the Rockies improve their bullpen enough to compete in NL West?
The Los Angeles Dodgers will take aim at their fifth consecutive National League West championship, but their biggest rival, the San Francisco Giants, will have something to say about that, especially since they've fixed their leaky bullpen with former Nationals closer Mark Melancon. The surprise team in the division could be the Colorado Rockies. They've beefed up their bullpen and think their rotation is strong enough to allow them to play meaningful games in September. Here's a look at...
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Giolito didn't see the improvement he wanted in tough loss

Giolito didn't see the improvement he wanted in tough loss
Right-hander Lucas Giolito was hoping to hit the ground running as he made his return to the big leagues after some solid performances at Triple-A Syracuse. But the Rockies' Nolan Arenado and David Dahl had other ideas. Arenado smacked a two-run shot and Dahl followed with a solo homer, highlighting a three-run third inning as Colorado defeated the Nationals 5-3. Giolito allowed four runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts, having to throw 100 pitches in five innings in his first...
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Turner gets Nats on board (Nats fall 5-3)

Turner gets Nats on board (Nats fall 5-3)
The Rockies got to Lucas Giolito to begin the game with a single and a walk. Charlie Blackmon singled and then went to second on a free pass to DJ LeMahieu. Nolan Arenado smacked a RBI single to left field and the Rockies lead 1-0. But Giolito settled down and got his fastball to 94 mph, earning a soft pop-up to third base and a grounder to second to end the frame. He threw 24 pitches in the first inning. Trea Turner quickly got the Nationals even in the bottom of the first on a solo shot to...
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Turner has been adept at setting the table (plus lineups)

Turner has been adept at setting the table (plus lineups)
In the first game of the Nationals' series with the Rockies, Trea Turner and Jayson Werth set up the rest of the offense by getting on base in an 8-5 win. The duo combined for four hits, four runs and two RBIs. Turner has two stolen bases in the series. Manager Dusty Baker was asked how having Turner in leadoff role alters the equation for Werth. "Well, it changes the equation," Baker said. "Everybody in the order changes the equation for the next person. "I knew that it changed the...
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Blackmon homers twice (Harper ejected in 10th, Nats fall 9-4 in 11)

Blackmon homers twice (Harper ejected in 10th, Nats fall 9-4 in 11)
A.J. Cole and Jorge De La Rosa shared the labor of a 33-minute first inning but did not allow a run on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon matchup between the Nationals and the Rockies. Cole didn't give up a hit until the top of the third. On a 3-2 pitch, Charlie Blackmon launched a solo shot, his 22nd homer of the season, over the right field wall and into the Nats bullpen. Colorado leads 1-0. Trea Turner and Anthony Rendon have base hits for the Nats. In the first, Turner stole his 17th base...
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Opposite dugout: Rockies offense trying to carry club to first .500 finish since 2010

Opposite dugout: Rockies offense trying to carry club to first .500 finish since 2010
Manager: Walt Weiss (4th season) Record: 60-67 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 3B Nolan Arenado (.286/.356/.567 with 34 HR, 108 RBIs), 2B DJ LeMahieu (.344 /.416/.501 with 10 HR, 50 RBIs), CF Charlie Blackmon (.318/.378/.531 with 21 HR, 60 RBIs), RF Carlos Gonzalez (.313/.361/.544 with 23 HR, 80 RBIs), LHP Jorge De La Rosa (8-7, 5.07 ERA), LHP Boone Logan (3.11 ERA with 22 holds) Season series vs. Nationals: 2-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 26: RHP Jeff Hoffman vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m.,...
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LeMahieu, rain delay contribute to Nats' 6-2 loss at Colorado

LeMahieu, rain delay contribute to Nats' 6-2 loss at Colorado
DENVER - The Rockies came back after a long rain delay and took it to the Nationals, scoring four runs after the third inning to break open a close game and win 6-2, wasting what could have been a good outing for Gio Gonzalez. DJ LeMahieu has been the hottest hitter in the series. He tripled in the fifth for his seventh hit in two games. LeMahieu scored on a Nolan Arenado groundout to give the Rockies the lead for good 3-2. Arenado then added a sacrifice fly to score Gerardo Parra from third...
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Werth on-base streak reaches record 44 (Rockies win 6-2)

Werth on-base streak reaches record 44 (Rockies win 6-2)
DENVER - The Nationals had a single and a double in their first two innings against Rockies right-handed starter Chad Bettis but were unable to score any runs. That changed in the third. With one out, Jayson Werth singled to reach base for the 44th game in a row, a new Nationals record. Daniel Murphy followed with a single. Werth went to third on a passed ball. Bryce Harper's RBI groundout plated Werth and the Nationals lead 1-0. Wilson Ramos followed with a high fly ball off the wall in right...
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Baker monitoring bullpen after heavy use in first game

Baker monitoring bullpen after heavy use in first game
DENVER - The Nationals had to employ five relievers Monday night after Max Scherzer was unable to get past the fourth inning. The bullpen was outstanding, keeping the Rockies off the scoreboard for the final five innings, en route to a 5-4 comeback victory. Matt Belisle, Sammy Solis, Blake Treinen, Shawn Kelley and Mark Melancon all pitched to combine for five scoreless innings. Oliver Perez and Yusmeiro Petit were the only relievers to not get into Monday's game. Kelley said they should be OK...
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Werth values on-base streak: "It's a product of my approach"

Werth values on-base streak: "It's a product of my approach"
DENVER - Left fielder Jayson Werth smacked his fourth home run in the past nine games in Monday's 5-4 win over the Rockies. But he didn't think the homer was because of the thin air associated with Coors Field. "Nah, you got to deal with the elements," Werth said. "Everybody deals with it when they come here. Played in the NL West when I was first coming up, I've been here enough times to know what you need to do so it's tough to come in here, it really is. It's a different style of...
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Game 118 lineups: Nats at Rockies

Game 118 lineups: Nats at Rockies
DENVER - The Nationals have won nine of their last 12 games following Monday's comeback 5-4 win, continuing to play well recently versus the Rockies. Since the start of the 2013 season, the Nationals have won 13 of their last 20 games against Colorado. Since 2005, the Nationals are now 18-21 at Coors Field. The Nats are also 18-13 in one-run games and have 29 come-from-behind victories. The 23 games above .500 are their most games above the even line so far this season. In 2012, they reached...
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Scherzer still having trouble in Denver (Nats come back and win 5-4)

Scherzer still having trouble in Denver (Nats come back and win 5-4)
DENVER - Right-hander Max Scherzer struggled to throw strikes in the first inning, and that helped the Rockies race out to a 3-0 lead. Following a one-out DJ LeMahieu single, Scherzer walked Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado. That left the door open for hot-hitting David Dahl, who promptly lined a two-run double off the wall in center. Daniel Descalso then followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Arenado and Colorado led 3-0. Scherzer has a track record of struggles at this park....
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Baker updates Zimmerman, Lobaton, Ross, Drew and others (updated)

Baker updates Zimmerman, Lobaton, Ross, Drew and others (updated)
DENVER - Manager Dusty Baker gave some insight on the plan for Ryan Zimmerman and Jose Lobaton's respective recoveries. The pair began their rehab assignments tonight with Triple-A Syracuse in Toledo. Zimmerman is on the 15-day disabled list with a left wrist contusion, while Lobaton is on the 15-day DL with left elbow tendinitis. "We are going to leave them at least two or three days and get some consecutive ABs," Baker said. "DH one day, play the field one day. Alternate between catching...
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Into thin air: Belisle and Robinson on what Coors Field does to a baseball

Into thin air: Belisle and Robinson on what Coors Field does to a baseball
Right-hander Matt Belisle spent a good portion of his career pitching in the thin air of Denver. From 2009 through 2014, Belisle won 32 games with the Rockies and pitched in total of 220 1/3 innings over 207 games with 167 strikeouts at Coors Field. Belisle's best season in Colorado was in 2010, when he put together a 2.93 ERA in 76 games and a 1.087 WHIP. So more than any other Nationals hurler, Belisle knows what to expect and how baseball is different a mile above sea level as his club...
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