Goodman, Moniak Go Deep in 9th as Rockies Rally Past Nationals 6-4

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Hunter Goodman and Mickey Moniak delivered clutch home runs in the ninth inning Monday night, powering the Colorado Rockies to a dramatic 6-4 comeback win over the struggling Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Goodman tied the game with a solo shot to left-center — his second homer of the night and a league-leading 13th among National League catchers — before Moniak launched a two-run blast into the right-field bullpen, completing the rally and stunning the Nationals faithful. Colorado, mired in a historically poor season, entered the night tied with the 1932 Boston Red Sox for the most losses (57) in MLB’s modern era through 71 games. But the Rockies showed late-inning resilience to claim their 72nd game and match Boston’s turnaround.

“It’s a game of moments,” said Rockies manager Bud Black. “Hunter and Mickey stepped up in the biggest one tonight.”

The win snapped a tough stretch for Colorado, who had dropped 14 of their last 20 — most of them close — with 13 decided by two runs or fewer. Washington, meanwhile, extended its losing streak to nine games, despite holding a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning. Rookie Daylen Lile hit his first major league home run, and James Wood added a two-run shot to left — his 18th of the season — giving the Nationals a brief advantage. Moniak had sparked Colorado earlier with a fifth-inning triple before scoring on Michael Toglia’s RBI single to make it 3-1. Washington’s home run barrage in the bottom of the frame quickly erased that lead. But it was Colorado’s bullpen that held firm down the stretch. Victor Vodnik (2-2) worked a scoreless eighth to earn the win, and Seth Halvorsen locked down the ninth for his fourth save, inducing a double play and a groundout after a leadoff walk. Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan (0-2) suffered his fifth blown save of the year, allowing both ninth-inning home runs.

Despite their offensive struggles in recent games — Colorado entered Monday having struck out 35 times in their previous two contests — the Rockies fanned just seven times in the win, avoiding the unwanted distinction of tying the MLB three-game strikeout record (52). The four-game series continues Tuesday as Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela (1-10, 7.23 ERA) faces Nationals righty Michael Soroka (3-4, 5.14 ERA).