Rockies Outfight Nationals 8-7 at Coors Field

A Wild Offensive Showcase

The Rockies erupted for eight runs— all earned— after falling behind early at Coors Field on a hot night. CJ Abrams struck twice, linking his third homer in three games and later tying the score with a second‑inning blast. Mickey Moniak slammed his 16th home run of 2026, a shot that also ignited the “Taco’s for everyone!” celebration.

Hunter Goodman added a two‑out double in the fifth that tied the game and capped off an 8‑7 victory with a 31st‑home‑run bomb in the eighth. The Rockies chased starter Carson Palmquist after he issued a walk to TJ Rumfield and gave up an RBI single to Moniak, pinning him with a 4‑run, 1.2‑inning line and an 8.74 ERA. Colorado’s offense struck back with a double from Jake McCarthy and a clutch single from Cole Carrigg that stretched the lead to 4‑2.

Willi Castro’s leadoff double scored Kyle Karros, while TJ Rumfield’s RBI single later knotted the contest at 4‑4. In the sixth, Moniak’s homer pushed the Rockies to a 7‑6 edge, setting the stage for Goodman’s walk‑off blast. The game featured 12 hits, six strikeouts and two walks, marking a true offensive smorgasbord.

Lorenzen’s Tough Night

Michael Lorenzen labored through 3.2 innings, surrendering six runs on seven hits while firing 80 pitches. All of his runs came with two outs, and 12 of the 16 home runs he has allowed this season have gone to left‑handed batters. He walks once and strikes out five, seeing his ERA climb to 6.53.

Aberrations like a one‑out double by Hunter Goodman and a leadoff single from Daylen Lile stalked the Rockies’ bullpen, forcing extra innings and mounting pressure on the staff. Despite the rough outing, Colorado’s defense tightened, delivering a crucial double‑play as Victor Vodnik took the mound.

The Rockies’ relief corps responded with three strong frames: Brennan Bernardino penned a scoreless 1.1‑inning stint, Vodnik held one hit over six pitches, and Jimmy Herget limited the damage to a single run while striking out one. Juan Mejia and Jordan Romano sealed the win with spotless ninth‑inning work.

Bullpen Brilliance

The bullpen’s efficiency was highlighted by Romano’s two strikeouts and a smooth finish, earning praise from manager Warren Schaeffer for handling a “really difficult lineup.” Schaeffer noted the defense was “huge” and praised the relievers for “pounding the strike zone, efficient and confident.”

After a shaky start by Miles Mikolas, who gave up three runs on six hits, the Rockies’ relievers held the Nationals to just one run in the final three frames. The bullpen’s ability to contain the Nationals’ late‑inning threats underscored Colorado’s depth and resilience.

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow’s Game 3 features RHP Cade Cavalli squaring off against RHP Gabriel Hughes at 1:10 p.m., giving the Rockies another chance to build momentum. Fans can expect another high‑octane contest as both clubs look to improve their postseason positioning.

With a solid win under their belts, the Rockies will aim to carry their offensive spark and bullpen reliability into the next matchup, hoping to clinch a series win early.