Following a sweep, the Nats get swept

For three consecutive nights the Washington Nationals came up just short at home against the Colorado Rockies.

Gone however are the Rockies of the 1990’s, comprised of sluggers from end-to-end of the line up. There is no Andres Galarraga, Vinny Castilla, Larry Walker, or even Dante Bichette’s. Instead all that remains in this new, revamped Rockies club, is a reformed, powerless Todd Helton, a great pitching staff, and one hell of a defense.

It was that pitching staff and defense that carried the Rockies over the Nationals this week at Nats Park. Despite the Nats recording 24 hits in the three game series, the club was only able to score eighty runs. The solid defense of the Rockies was too much to overcome as every potential rally was turned into an inning-saving catch or a double play to take the wind out of the Nationals sails.

Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn combined to only go 4/22 on the series, with no runs scored and two RBI. Willingham went 1/12 with no runs and no RBI. It’s no mystery to see why the Nationals couldn’t score a clutch run all series.

This lack of clutch hitting (if there is such a thing) was on display each 9^th inning of the series as the Nationals had a chance to tie it up in each game. Alas, the Nats came up short each time against Rockies closer Huston Street. Street earned 3 saves but surrendered two runs in three appearences, a high rate for the young fireballer.

Rockies Starting pitching this series:

• Ubaldo Jimenez- 8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 5 K, 1 BB
  
• Jason Marquis- 6 IP, 9 H, 3 ER,  1 K, 1 BB
  
• Jason Hammel- 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3K, 2 BB
  

Nationals last place standings:

Nationals 43-78

Royals 47-73

Orioles 49-72

Pirates 49-70

(Mike Rizzo was introduced as the Nationals General Manager today)

(Nats Manager Jim Riggleman actually argues a call, as a result: umpires respect  him and his team)