Rockies score 2 in 9th, beat Nats 9-8 for 4th straight win

WASHINGTON (AP) — Elías Díaz hit a tying homer and Brendan Rodgers had an RBI single as the Colorado Rockies rallied in the ninth inning to beat the Washington Nationals 9-8 Friday night.

In the series opener between two teams out of the playoff race, the Rockies improved to 6-1 on their road trip.

Díaz connected against Kyle Finnegan (5-8) for a leadoff home run in the ninth that made it 8-all. A single, stolen base, walk and sacrifice set up Rodgers.

Rodgers and Sam Hilliard homered for the Rockies

Trailing 7-6, Nationals pinch-hitter Ryan Zimmerman doubled and scored on a single by Alcides Escobar to tie it in the eighth. Juan Soto walked on four straight pitches by lefty Lucas Gilbreath (2-1) to load the bases and Josh Bell’s grounder put Washington ahead.

Carlos Estévez allowed two singles before getting Lane Thomas on a grounder with runners at the corners to earn his ninth save.

Nationals starter Josiah Gray – still in search of his first win in the majors - allowed five runs on three hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings. He has given up at least one homer in each of his 11 starts this season, including 14 in nine games with Washington since being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“I wouldn’t say it’s frustrating,” Gray said about chasing his first win.

“If I get that first win this year that will be a lot of fun and everyone will enjoy it. But if it has to happen next year, so be it. I’m not going to press about that. I have to get to the fifth or sixth if not more and give the team a chance.”

Keibert Ruiz, also sent from the Dodgers to Washington in that deal, had three hits.

The Nationals roughed up Colorado starter Germán Márquez in the fourth for four runs, three on Thomas’ homer for a 6-2 lead.

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source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Rockies-score-2-in-9th-beat-Nats-9-8-for-4th-16469007.php