The Rockies opened this weekend’s series as a team starved for victories and needing a shot of momentum.
After beating the Nationals 10-5 this afternoon at Coors Field to complete a three-game sweep, they depart for a crucial six-game National League West road trip feeling fit and sassy.
It was the Rockies’ seventh straight win over the Nationals at Coors Field. They swept a four-game series from Washington last season.
Behind six innings of three-hit pitching from starter Elmer Dessens and a 3-for-4, three-RBI performance from Matt Holliday that included his 24th homer of the season, the Rockies led 9-1 through six innings. The Nationals scored two in the seventh and two more in the eighth off reliever Ramon Ortiz.
After playing sloppy baseball in dropping three of four at home to the Pirates last week, the Rockies’ postseason hopes were fading to black. But sweeping the Nationals puts the Rockies back in the picture. Their victory, coupled with Atlanta’s 4-1 loss to St. Louis, enabled the Rockies to slip past Atlanta and into third place in the wild-card chase, 3½ games behind San Diego. Philadelphia hammered San Diego 14-2, moving within three games of the Padres.
Dessens, making his third start for the Rockies, suffered through a rough first inning when Ryan Zimmerman jacked a solo homer to left field. But after the first inning, Dessens was nearly untouchable, giving up just one hit and one walk over the next five innings.
The Rockies raked Washington pitching for 15 hits. Nationals starter Joel Hanrahan, pitching at Coors for the first time, departed after 2 1/2 innings, looking shell-shocked after giving up nine runs on eight hits. Colorado sent 11 batters to the plate in its six-run third inning.
The Rockies open a three-game series Monday in San Francisco with Josh Fogg getting the start against Giants lefty Barry Zito. The Rockies are 4-2 at AT&T Park this season.
After a day off on Thursday, Colorado opens a three-game series Friday at Arizona against the NL West-leading Diamondbacks. The Rockies are 3-3 at Chase Field this season. Of the Rockies’ final 32 games, 25 are against division opponents.
Staff Writer Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
