WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitchell Parker gave up one run and five hits in seven innings, Luis García Jr. hit a three-run homer and the Washington Nationals beat the Colorado Rockies 6-1 on Wednesday night.
James Wood had three hits for the Nationals, who had scored a total of 14 runs while losing five of their past six games. Keibert Ruiz and Andrés Chaparro had two hits each.
“We were having better at-bats today,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “The whole idea was to stay right there. Don’t try to force things. We’ll get some runs on the board. They did that, and it worked out well for us.”
Parker (7-7), who gave up nine runs on 10 hits in three innings against the Phillies last time out, walked one and struck out six while throwing 83 pitches. The rookie left-hander has completed seven innings in four of his 23 starts.
“Like we’ve been saying all year, learn what you can from things like the last one and ride with them and keep learning,” Parker said. “Try and learn every day.”
Brendan Rodgers and Brenton Doyle each had a double and a single for the Rockies, who had won three of four. Rodgers drove in Colorado’s run.
Colorado rookie starter Tanner Gordon (0-5) allowed five runs on eight hits in his seventh big league start. He lasted four innings and his ERA climbed to 7.55.
“Fastball command wasn’t where it has been in the past,” Gordon said. “It’s one of my strengths and I just didn’t have it tonight.”
Rockies reliever Jeff Criswell pitched a scoreless inning and allowed one hit in his major league debut.
Joey Gallo’s RBI double gave Washington a 1-0 lead in the second inning.
The Nationals broke it open in the third. Alex Call led off with a single and, one out later, Wood singled him to third. Ruiz followed with a single to score Call and García homered to center on a 1-0 pitch to make it 5-0.
Once back in the dugout García got a hug after a brief conversation with Martinez.
“Before the at-bat he had mentioned to me to look for a ball up and the pitch that I hit out was actually up, so I came back and told him it was right where he said,” García said through an interpreter.
García is hitting .375 (27 for 72) with a .597 slugging percentage, 12 RBIs and 12 runs over his past 20 games.
Pitching with the lead, Parker retired nine of the next 10 batters he faced before allowing a run in the seventh.
“Good arm, good stuff, live fastball,” Rockies manager Bud Black said of Parker. “Fastball plays. It’s got movement, it’s got life in the hitting area. The ball has a little giddy up at the end.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rockies: RHP Victor Vodnik (right bicep inflammation) was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Aug. 19, and the team selected the contract of RHP Jeff Criswell from Triple-A Albuquerque. Vodnik had experienced soreness while warming up during Tuesday night’s game.
UP NEXT
Colorado RHP Cal Quantrill (8-8, 4.59 ERA) opposes LHP Patrick Corbin (2-12, 5.92 ERA) in the series finale on Thursday. Corbin will be looking for career win No. 100.
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