Rockies Pitching Collapses in Frightful Loss

The Colorado Rockies displayed a performance reminiscent of a Halloween scare, despite the holiday being months away, in a disheartening 8-0 loss to the Washington Nationals at Coors Field on Wednesday. Starting pitcher Gabriel Hughes was a bright spot for the Rockies, delivering his third career start and second at home with a strong five-inning outing. Hughes recorded 18 strikeouts in his first three MLB starts and became the second pitcher in franchise history to allow three-or-fewer earned runs with 11-plus strikeouts in his first two Coors Field starts. Despite his efforts, Hughes fell to 0-2 on the season.

The relief efforts, however, proved disastrous. Brennan Bernardino pitched a clean sixth inning, extending his career-long streak without an earned run to 19 games. Unfortunately, Jimmy Herget and Zach Agnos struggled mightily. Herget surrendered four runs (three earned) in two-thirds of an inning, while Agnos allowed three runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings. These pitching woes were exacerbated by defensive miscues from Rockies players, including an error by left fielder Mickey Moniak and throwing errors by Brent Sullivan and Cole Carrigg.

Nationals starter Cade Cavalli earned the win, pitching six innings of four-hit ball to improve his record to 7-4. Jake McCarthy extended his on-base streak to 17 games with a double. The Rockies will have a day off on Thursday before heading to Milwaukee for a three-game series against the Brewers, followed by a two-game series in San Diego against the Padres.