Nationals end six-game skid with 15-6 victory over Rockies

Colorado scored three runs in the first, two on right fielder Carlos Gonzalez’s 28th homer and a third on Desmond’s error.

Michael A. Taylor hit a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh and the Nationals capitalized on a lack of control by Rockies pitchers in a four-run eighth to break open a close game. The right-hander went toe to toe with Clayton Kershaw last Wednesday, yielding just one run on two hits with nine strikeouts over seven innings as the Nats fell 3-0. Carlos Gonzalez was 4 for 12 with three homers and six RBIs for the Rockies and Nolan Arenado was 5 for 12 with a homer and three runs.

Colorado Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez, right, reacts after striking out…

The Nationals were swept in their four-game set with the Giants so now they turn to Zimmermann again tonight in the series opener with the Rockies in Coors Field, as they try to snap a six-game losing streak that’s left them a game under. “If we win some games we jump right back into this”.

“My offspeed felt good but my command was a little off with the fastball”, Hale said.

Washington added another run in the fifth, helped by two wild pitches by David Hale, the second of which allowed Ian Desmond to score from third. Bryce Harper leads Washington with 124 hits and 73 RBI while Ian Desmond and Yunel Escobar have combined for 77 RBI.

Hale had been on the disabled list since July 10 because of a left groin strain.

Jordan Zimmermann is coming off arguably his best start of the year. Escobar drove in a run with a single, as did shortstop Ian Desmond.

Rockies: Centerfielder Charlie Blackmon was held out of the starting lineup because of illness before entering in the sixth in place of the injured Gonzalez….

RHP Chad Bettis (right elbow inflammation) is scheduled to make his second rehab start Thursday and throw 80-85 pitches for Triple-A Albuquerque at Nashville.

Colorado ended a six-game slide with Sunday’s 5-0 victory over San Diego as Chris Rusin pitched a five-hitter for his first career shutout.

Zimmermann (8-8, 3.34 ERA) started the opener of that series and allowed one run in 6 2-3 innings as the bullpen blew a three-run lead in the eighth of a 5-4 defeat.