Nationals' Series by the Statistics: Rockies win sixth series in eight tries

Following a three-game sweep from a historically bad Cincinnati Reds team last weekend, the Tuesday night loss to the Washington Nationals revealed some skeptical looks from the faces of Colorado Rockies’ fans.

With wins in the next two games thanks to a strong pitching performance by Austin Gomber and another multi-hit outing from Brendan Rodgers, the smiles returned.

At 15-10 on the season, Colorado is tied for the fifth-best record in the National League thanks to the 5-1 home stand.

Here are 12 of the most important statistics for the 15-10 Rockies to come out of the series victory over the Nats this week.

0 

With 168 strikeouts in 170 games, Carlos Estévez has had the most punch outs of any Rockies’ reliever since the start of the 2019 season. However, none have come in his nine outings this season.

He was somewhat conspicuously absent throughout the three games against Washington despite Colorado’s need for 11 innings from the bullpen.

1

Another series win meant that in their eight series this season, the Rockies have lost only one series, a four-game sweep at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Apr. 25-28. Colorado has also drawn one series, splitting with the Chicago Cubs at home for a four-game set on Apr. 14-17.

2 

Antonio Senzatela lasted only 4.1 innings during his start on Thursday, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits. He walked two, unsurprisingly the Nationals’ most dangerous hitters: Juan Soto and Josh Bell.

He’s now walked two or fewer batters in 18 consecutive starts dating back to July 1 of last season, the second-longest such streak in franchise history. Only Jeff Francis with his 24 consecutive starts from June 21, 2012 through Apr. 10, 2013 has a longer streak.

3

With home runs from Garrett Hampson, Brendan Rodgers and Randal Grichuk on Thursday for STEM Day at Coors Field, Colorado produced a three-homer game for the first time since Sept. 17 of last year, coincidentally against the same Washington club, albeit at Nationals Park.

In addition, the three-run homers from Hampson and Rodgers marked the first pair of three-run homers for the club since May 22, 2019 when Daniel Murphy and Tony Wolters did the deed in Pittsburgh.

4

Rockies turned four double plays behind Rockies’ pitching during the 5-2 victory on Wednesday night. It’s the fourth such time turning four double plays in a game this season.

Only Baltimore has done it in multiple games (two), while just three other teams have at least four DPs on one occasion: Arizona, Oakland, and Seattle.

5

A total of five nine-inning games at Coors Field since 2011 had ever taken 2:18 or less to complete before Wednesday’s incredibly quick affair. The 138 minute contest was the 44th in Coors Field history dating back to 1995.

6 

Juan Soto of the Nationals went 4-for-12 over the three games, including two home runs that gave the 23-year-old superstar six for the season. Frustrating for him is that it’s produced only seven runs batted in this season. Five of his home runs have been with the bases empty, including both this week. 

7

Senzatela has recorded seven strikeouts through his first five starts. The last member of the rotation to have less than ten through five starts was 2012 Opening Day starter Jeremy Guthrie (9).

In total, it’s now happened 17 times to 15 different pitchers for the Rockies.

8

Closer Daniel Bard recorded his seventh and eighth save of the season on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. 

That’s the most saves by a Rockies pitcher through his first 10 games since Wade Davis in 2018 and the third-most through his first 10 games behind Davis and Greg Holland (2017). 

9 

C.J. Cron went 3-for-3 during Tuesday night’s loss and launched his MLB lead-tying ninth home run of the year.

The second-year Rockie leads the NL in homers and is tied with Nolan Arenado for most RBI (23) in the NL.

10

Germán Márquez allowed seven runs on 10 hits, both tying his season-high (Apr. 15 vs. Cubs). 

Through his first five starts of the 2022, Colorado’s lone All-Star in 2021 has allowed 38 hits, most since Chris Rusin allowed 41 in 2016. Opponents are batting .336 (38-for-113) against Márquez, accounting for both the highest opponent batting average and hits allowed among qualified Major League pitchers while his 6.92 ERA is the second-highest in MLB.

Diamond Details

79: Believe it or not, you’ve witnessed a part of history if you’ve been to a game at Coors Field dating back to May 12 of last year. 

The Rockies have now scored two or more runs at home in 79 straight games, the longest streak in National League history. Colorado is 48-29 (.623) at home during this streak, the second-best winning percentage in the NL and the fifth-best in the Majors.