Rockies lose to Nationals in 11th inning, ending four-game winning streak

Rockies closer Seth Halvorsen never even turned around to watch the ball fly. He just walked off the mound knowing he’d given up a game-winning homer.

James Wood, the Nationals’ rising star, launched Halvorsen’s 1-0 splitter 428 feet to center field for a two-run, 11th-inning, walk-off homer Thursday afternoon at Nationals Park. Washington won, 4-3, snapping an 11-game losing streak.

Wood hit a two-run homer earlier off starter Chase Dollander, but interim manager Warren Schaeffer decided to let Halvorsen face Wood with two outs and first base open. Bad decision. Wood’s game-winning blast was his 20th homer this season.

The Rockies went 4-3 on their road trip, so that’s a success story for a team that owns a 17-58 record. But they saw their four-game winning streak end, and they blew a chance for their first four-game series sweep since winning four vs. Arizona at Coors Field May 27-30, 2019.

Colorado took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 11th on Michael Toglia’s RBI single to drive in Ryan McMahon, who started the inning at second base.

Washington struck first, taking a 2-0 lead in the fourth on Wood’s two-run homer off Dollander. Wood, by far the Nationals’ most dangerous hitter, ripped Dollander’s first-pitch changeup 403 feet to center field. Dollander has given up 14 homers in 12 starts, a big reason why the rookie right-hander has a 6.19 ERA.

Overall, Dollander pitched a strong game, giving up two runs on six hits. He struck out two and didn’t walk anyone.

The Rockies tied the game, 2-2, in the fifth on an RBI double by Jordan Beck off Nats right-hander Trevor Williams. Mickey Moniak immediately followed with a single to right field to score Beck.

But the Rockies, who left 10 men on base, wasted several opportunities to win the game.

The Rockies open a three-game series against the Diamondbacks on Friday night at Coors Field.

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