Rockies rally late but lose seventh straight, falling 12-11 to Nationals

Loco in LoDo.

An apt description of what transpired Saturday afternoon at Coors Field.

The last team standing was the Washington Nationals, who hung on to win, 12-11.

Despite signs of life from their hitherto dormant offense, the Rockies lost their seventh straight. They own a 3-16 record, the worst 19-game start in franchise history.

In the ninth, Colorado had the tying run at third in Mickey Moniak, who had tripled home Hunter Goodman. But the Nationals’ Kyle Finnegan struck out Jordan Beck looking to close out the crazy affair. Colorado struck out 17 times, tying a franchise record for the most strikeouts in a home game.

Washington led 12-2 when the Rockies came to the plate in the seventh. Three hits, three walks and two hit batters later, the Rockies trailed 12-10. Colorado’s big hits were a two-run triple by leadoff hitter Sean Bouchard and a three-run triple by Beck that left fielder Alex Call misplayed. Bases-loaded walks by Goodman and Moniak pushed across two runs in the inning.

Chase Dollander, touted as Colorado’s potential future ace, continues to get hurt by the long ball. The right-hander gave up four home runs in four innings as his ERA ballooned to 7.36. Dollander was charged with nine runs (six earned) on seven hits. In three starts, he’s been tagged for eight homers.

Meanwhile, Colorado’s strikeout woes continued. Of the Rockies’ 17 K’s, 13 came at the hands of Washington lefty MacKenzie Gore, who limited the Rockies to two runs on four hits over six innings. Michael Toglia and Aaron Shunk led the whiff parade with three strikeouts each.

The two teams play a split doubleheader on Sunday, with the second game serving as the makeup for Friday’s game, which was snowed out.

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