Nats offense musters only 4 hits again (Rockies win 2-1)

On a spectacular Friday night for baseball, one of the best night's of the year to date weather wise in the D.C. area, the starting pitchers dominated early on.

Rockies left-handed Kyle Freeland allowed a single by Ryan Zimmerman with two outs in the first. But then he struck out four batters in a row.

Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced. The only blemish was a walk to Nolan Arenado in the first. He has two strikeouts.

In the third, the Nats got something going. With one out, Trea Turner doubled. Anthony Rendon was walked, his second free pass of the game. Bryce Harper popped up to shallow right field.

Zimmerman sky rocketed a Freeland offering deep down the left field line, but just to the left of the foul pole. He then flew out to center field to end the inning.

After three innings, no score between the Nats and the Rockies.

Update: Carlos Gonzalez broke the ice in the Rockies fourth with a huge blast over the right-center field wall. It was his third homer of the season, the solo shot came on a 2-0 pitch.

Mid-fifth, the Rockies lead the Nats 1-0.

Update II: The Nats chased Freeland in the fifth. Roark singled on a bloop down the right field line. Turner walked. Rendon singled. With the bases loaded, Harper launched a long fly ball to left field ball for a sacrifice fly that scored Roark. Scott Oberg replaced Freeland. Zimmerman grounded out to shortstop to end the threat.

After five in D.C., the Nats and the Rockies are even at 1-1.

Update III: D.J. LeMahieu got to first to lead off the sixth against Roark because of a fielding error charged to Turner. Gerardo Parra singled to get LeMahieu to third. Gonzalez brought LeMahieu home on a sacrifice fly to right field.

Roark finished six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with one walk and three strikeouts. He fired 96 pitches, 63 for strikes.

Rendon left the game to start the seventh. The reason for his departure was not yet reported. Howie Kendrick went to second base and Wilmer Difo took over at third. Moises Sierra is playing left field, batting second.

The Rockies lead 2-1 after six innings.

Update IV: Wade Davis in to pitch the bottom of the ninth against the Nats. Michael A. Taylor struck out. Difo grounded out to third base. Pinch-hitter Matt Wieters struck out.

Final Score: The Rockies 2, the Nats 1.