Despite 5 and 1/3 innings of no-hit ball by Ubaldo Jimenez, the Nationals still had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth. After singles by Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse sandwiched around a Laynce Nix strikeout, Jayson Werth ground in to a double play to end the game.
The Rockies got on the board in the fourth inning with a solo home run from Todd Helton. Helton also drove in the Rockies second run as Mark Ellis scored from third in the fifth. Ellis hit a ball into left field and made it to third after Ryan Spilborghs was thrown out at home.
The Nationals wasted a decent, albeit atypical, performance from Jason Marquis. Yes, Marquis did walk a season-high four batters, and only had one strikeout. However, he could have let the game get out of hand, but finished strong. Two phenomenal defensive plays by Laynce Nix helped keep the game close too.
Going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and leaving five men on base certainly didn’t help matters.
With the loss the Nats fall to one game under .500 for the first time since July 3rd. Tomorrow’s game gives the Nats a chance to get back to .500 heading in to the All-Star break.
Follow Brendan Darr on Twitter: @BrendanDarr1067
