Nationals Erupt for 13 Runs, Rout Rockies to Snap Four-Game Skid

The Washington Nationals finally found the offensive explosion they had been searching for.

Washington erased an early two-run deficit and scored 13 runs over its final four offensive innings Monday night, crushing the Colorado Rockies, 13-3, at Nationals Park.

The victory snapped Washington’s four-game losing streak and provided a much-needed reset after a brutal 1-8 road trip. The Nationals improved to 62-71 while Colorado fell to 50-81 and extended its season-long losing streak to seven games.

Daylen Lile led the offensive outburst with three hits and five RBIs, including a three-run home run in the eighth inning. Jorbit Vivas also collected three hits, while CJ Abrams returned to the lineup and immediately made an impact.

Cade Cavalli continued his outstanding stretch on the mound, earning his fourth consecutive victory and improving to 12-5 with a 3.21 ERA.

Rockies Strike First

The Nationals struggled offensively through the first four innings against Colorado starter Ryan Feltner.

Washington did not record a hit during that stretch, while the Rockies slowly built a 2-0 advantage.

Willi Castro put Colorado on the board with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Ezequiel Tovar followed with another solo shot in the fifth, putting Washington in a familiar position after its difficult road trip.

Then everything changed.

Five-Run Fifth Flips the Game

Washington broke through in a huge way in the bottom of the fifth.

Jacob Young opened the inning with the Nationals’ first hit of the night. Vivas followed with another single, immediately putting pressure on Colorado’s defense.

Nasim Nunez then dropped down a bunt.

Castro fielded it and attempted to throw to first, but the ball sailed past the bag. Both Young and Vivas scored on the error while Nunez raced all the way to third.

Just like that, the game was tied.

Abrams then delivered the go-ahead hit, ripping a double down the first-base line to score Nunez and give Washington a 3-2 lead.

Abrams stole third and later scored when Abimelec Ortiz grounded out.

Lile then doubled and eventually scored after Colorado catcher Brett Sullivan’s throw to third went into left field.

Washington had scored five runs in the inning and turned a 2-0 deficit into a 5-2 advantage.

The Rockies never recovered.

Nationals Keep Pouring It On

Washington did not stop after taking the lead.

The Nationals added three more runs in the sixth inning.

Dylan Crews worked a bases-loaded walk before Lile delivered a two-run single with two outs, pushing the lead to 8-2.

Washington struck again in the seventh.

Keibert Ruiz singled and Young doubled before Vivas drove in two more runs with his third hit of the night.

That made it 10-2.

Colorado managed one run in the eighth, but Washington answered with three more in the bottom half.

Lile provided the final blow.

With two runners aboard, Lile launched a three-run homer to give Washington a commanding 13-3 advantage.

It capped a monster night for the young outfielder.

Lile finished with three hits, five RBIs and the home run while helping transform what began as another frustrating offensive night into one of Washington’s most dominant victories of the season.

Cavalli Continues Impressive Run

While the offense eventually stole the show, Cavalli once again gave Washington a strong performance on the mound.

The right-hander allowed two runs over six innings, with both runs coming on solo homers.

He struck out seven and delivered another quality start.

It was Cavalli’s ninth consecutive quality start, continuing what has developed into the best stretch of his major league career.

Cavalli also won his fourth straight start.

His ability to hold Colorado to two runs while Washington’s offense struggled early proved critical. Instead of allowing the game to get away, Cavalli kept the Nationals within striking distance until the lineup finally erupted.

Abrams Makes Immediate Impact

Abrams returned after missing four games with an ankle injury and served as Washington’s designated hitter.

Even without playing the field, his presence made a major difference.

Abrams reached base, scored twice, drove in the go-ahead run and stole two bases.

Those steals gave Abrams 26 for the season to go along with 29 home runs.

That made him only the second player in Nationals history to record at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in the same season.

Alfonso Soriano was the first, accomplishing the feat during his historic 2006 season.

For Washington, getting Abrams back into the lineup could provide an important boost down the stretch.

Complete Offensive Effort

Perhaps the most encouraging part of Monday’s win was how widespread the production became once Washington broke through.

Every Nationals hitter reached base multiple times.

Washington finished with 13 runs on 13 hits while taking advantage of two Colorado errors.

Vivas finished with three hits.

Lile had three.

Young provided multiple key hits and helped start the fifth-inning rally.

Abrams created havoc on the bases.

Crews reached safely and drove in a run.

Ruiz helped keep rallies alive.

It was the type of complete offensive performance Washington rarely produced during its recently completed road trip.

The Nationals scored only 20 runs over those nine road games and were shut out twice.

They nearly matched that total in one night Monday.

Much-Needed Homecoming

Washington badly needed a performance like this.

The Nationals returned home after going 1-8 on a three-city road trip and had dropped four consecutive games.

The start of a 10-game homestand against Colorado presented an opportunity to reset.

The Nationals took advantage immediately.

Washington scored in each of its final four offensive innings:

Fifth inning: five runs

Sixth inning: three runs

Seventh inning: two runs

Eighth inning: three runs

That turned a 2-0 deficit into a 10-run victory.

Injury Updates

Washington also received some encouraging news away from the final score.

James Wood, who has been sidelined since Aug. 4 with a left oblique strain, continued progressing in his rehabilitation. Wood threw from 120 feet and hit off a tee Monday.

There is still no official timetable for his return.

Josiah Gray is also continuing his comeback from Tommy John surgery and a subsequent flexor strain. Gray is scheduled to make his second rehab appearance Tuesday with High-A Wilmington.

Getting either player back before the end of the season would provide another boost for a Nationals club focused heavily on developing its young core.

What’s Next

Washington and Colorado continue the series Tuesday night at Nationals Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.

The Nationals will look to build on their biggest offensive performance in weeks and take control of the series against a Colorado team that has now lost seven consecutive games.

Monday night was exactly what Washington needed after a miserable road trip.

The Nationals fell behind early.

They stayed within reach.

Then the offense exploded.

For one night, nearly everything went right.

Final: Washington Nationals 13, Colorado Rockies 3

Winning pitcher: Cade Cavalli, 12-5
Losing pitcher: Ryan Feltner, 5-8
Nationals record: 62-71
Rockies record: 50-81