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On April 7th, 2023, the Washington Nationals and the Colorado Rockies faced off in a regular season game at Coors Field in Denver. Both teams were looking to bounce back after tough losses the previous day. The Nationals had lost to the Dodgers while the Rockies had been defeated by the Giants. With both teams looking for their second win of the season, the game promised to be an exciting matchup.
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The Nationals started the game with their ace, Max Scherzer, on the mound. Scherzer is a three-time Cy Young award winner and one of the best pitchers in baseball. He’s known for his overpowering fastball, devastating slider, and competitive fire. Scherzer had a strong outing, pitching six innings and allowing only one run on five hits while striking out eight batters.
On the other side, the Rockies started their young left-hander, Kyle Freeland. Freeland is a former first-round pick who had a breakout season in 2022, posting a 2.90 ERA in 33 starts. He’s known for his ability to induce ground balls and limit hard contact. Freeland had a solid outing, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five batters.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows throughout. The Nationals struck first in the third inning, when third baseman Carter Kieboom hit an RBI double to score second baseman Luis Garcia. The Rockies answered back in the fourth inning, when first baseman C.J. Cron hit an RBI double to score shortstop Trevor Story.
The Nationals retook the lead in the fifth inning, when left fielder Juan Soto hit a solo home run off Freeland. The Rockies answered back again in the sixth inning, when center fielder Garrett Hampson hit an RBI single to score catcher Elias Diaz.
The game remained tied until the top of the ninth inning, when the Nationals were able to break through against Rockies closer Daniel Bard. With one out and runners on second and third, Kieboom hit a sacrifice fly to score right fielder Victor Robles. The Nationals added an insurance run when shortstop Trea Turner hit an RBI single to score left fielder Kyle Schwarber.
The Rockies had a chance to mount a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning, when they loaded the bases with one out. However, Nationals closer Brad Hand was able to get out of the jam by striking out Cron and inducing a ground ball out from third baseman Ryan McMahon.
One of the key factors in the Nationals’ victory was their offense. They were able to generate timely hits and capitalize on their chances, going 3-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Soto’s home run in the fifth inning was a momentum-shifting play that gave the Nationals the lead, while Turner’s RBI single in the ninth inning provided insurance.
Another key factor in the game was the Nationals’ bullpen. After Scherzer left the game in the seventh inning, Nationals relievers Tanner Rainey, Wander Suero, and Brad Hand combined to pitch three scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and striking out three batters. The Nationals’ bullpen has been a strength of their team this season, and they continued to dominate in this game.
In conclusion, the Washington Nationals’ victory over the Colorado Rockies was a result of strong pitching, timely hitting, and solid bullpen performance. Max Scherzer’s strong outing on the mound set the tone for the game, while the Nationals’ offense was able to capitalize on their chances. The Nationals’ bullpen continued to dominate, shutting down the Rockies in the later innings. With this win, the Nationals improved to 2-2 on the season and looked to build momentum going forward.
