Joey Meneses capped a two-run ninth inning with an RBI single and the visiting Washington Nationals rallied past the Colorado Rockies 2-1 on Sunday in Denver to take the three-game series.
Jacob Young, who had Washington’s only hit over the first eight innings, reached on an infield single to start the ninth against Jalen Beeks (4-4). CJ Abrams grounded into a fielder’s choice, went to second on a wild pitch and scored when Lane Thomas doubled to right. Ildemaro Vargas struck out, but Meneses singled to center, scoring Thomas, who had stolen third.
Dylan Floro (3-1) pitched an inning and a third for the win and Kyle Finnegan, who blew the save attempt Saturday night, pitched the ninth for his 22nd save despite allowing a pair of singles to start the inning.
Michael Toglia homered for Colorado in the second inning for his seventh of the season.
Rockies starter Kyle Freeland was stellar as he returned from the 60-day injured list after dealing with left elbow inflammation to make his first start since April 14. He gave up one hit over six innings and struck out four with one walk while throwing 69 pitches.
Nick Mears pitched two perfect innings, but Beeks couldn’t close it out.
Washington’s Jake Irvin was almost was good as Freeland, allowing one run on three hits over six innings. He walked one and tied his career high with 10 strikeouts.
The Rockies had runners on first and second with one out in the first inning, but Irvin got groundouts from Brendan Rogers and Nolan Jones.
Toglia homered to right with one out in the second inning to give the Rockies a 1-0 lead.
Rodgers singled leading off the Colorado fourth, but Irvin struck out Jones, Hunter Goodman and Toglia.
With one out in the sixth, Young hit a grounder down the third base line. Ryan McMahon’s throw from behind the bag was high and Young, who had the throw beaten, raced all the way to third on the single and two-base error. But Freeland struck out Abrams and Thomas to end the inning.
–Field Level Media
