LeMahieu solves Gonzalez; offense searching (Rockies win 5-1)

Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez struggled a bit early on, but his defense didn't exactly do him any favors either.

DJ LeMahieu led off with a solo shot to left-center on a 1-1 pitch. With a man on and two outs, former Nats star Ian Desmond popped up behind second base. Howie Kendrick dropped the fly ball for an error, allowing Chris Iannetta to score.

In the second inning, LeMahieu continued to solve Gonzalez with an RBI double.

Manwhile, Chad Bettis did a nice job through three frames against the Nationals. Matt Adams had the only base hit, a single. Bettis has induced five flyouts and has struck out two.

After three innings, the Rockies lead the Nats 3-0.

Update: Howie Kendrick's solo homer off of Bettis gets Nats on the board in the fifth. Pinch-hitter Moisés Sierra connected on a two-out double to put runners at second and third. Michael A. Taylor grounded out to third to end the threat.

Gonzalez finished five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with three walks, a wild pitch and seven strikeouts. He threw 106 piches, 69 for strikes.

After five innings, the Rockies lead 3-1.

Update II: LeMahieu is having a career night. He hit another homer in the sixth, this one a two-run shot off of Matt Grace. His four RBIs are a career-high.

The Nats have only three hits off of Bettis.

Mid-seventh, the Rockies lead 5-1.

Update III: Bettis had a very impressive start for the Rockies: seven innings, three hits, one run, two walks and five strikeouts. He threw 94 pitches, 58 for strikes.

Mid-eighth, the Rockies lead the Nats 5-1.

Update IV: In the ninth against the Rockies' Jake McGee, Anthony Rendon flew out to center field. Bryce Harper struck out and Ryan Zimmerman flew out to center field. Harper struck out three times, going 0-for-4.

Final score: Rockies 5, Nats 1.