After a 10-6 slugfest in the first game of Sunday’s day-night doubleheader with the Washington Nationals, an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel broke out in the nightcap. Jon Gray and Edwin Jackson went nearly pitch-for-pitch over seven innings, but a pair of bad pitches cost the big Rockies righty in the end. Washington took the final game, 3-1, to salvage a win in the series.
Gray (3-2, 5.52) was perfect through four innings, but ran into trouble in the fifth when four of the first five hitters he faced reached base. The real damage came on home runs from Adam Lind (a two-run shot) and Brian Goodwin (solo). Gray did buckle down and strand Wilmer Difo at third after a one-out triple. Gray struck out seven over seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk. Adam Ottavino, who has struggled of late, looked solid in one inning of relief out of the bullpen. The righty retired the Nationals in order on 10 pitches.
For as good as Gray was, Edwin Jackson (2-1, 2.84) was even better in his seven innings. The 33-year-old allowed just one run on four hits, striking out six and walking two. Where Gray had more punchouts and fewer walks, Jackson didn’t give up the big hits. An RBI single by Gerardo Parra in the fifth was the only offense Colorado could muster. Ryan Madsen pitched a perfect eighth, striking out two and throwing just 12 pitches – 10 for strikes. Sean Doolittle worked a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his sixth save of the season.
Despite the loss, Colorado (60-46) picked up a series win after a victory on Saturday night. It was the first road series win since the Rockies took three of four games from the Cubs in early June. Colorado is off on Monday before opening a three-game series with the Mets at home Tuesday. The Rockies will welcome a new teammate, catcher Jonathan Lucroy, upon their arrival at home. The two-time All-Star was acquired Sunday night for a player to be named later.