"Slider, down and away. I was able to make a quality pitch." --Jason Marquis, on a 1-2 slider to Ronnie Belliard, who ground into a bases loaded 6-4-3 double play to end the seventh inning.
THE RESULT: Colorado Rockies pitcher Jason Marquis became the Major League leader in wins, notching his eleventh of the season, as he combined with closer Huston Street on a seven-hit, 1-0 shut out of the Washington Nationals, before 25,205 at Coors Field.
The Nats record stands at 24-56-1.
It was the eighth 1-0 game in the history of Coors Field, all since the incorporation of a humidor to store game balls.
The Nats record stands at 24-56-1.
It was the eighth 1-0 game in the history of Coors Field, all since the incorporation of a humidor to store game balls.
Marquis, named to his first all-star game on Sunday, was sharp all evening, but the Nats did have their chances. But every time Washington had an opportunity, Marquis, one of his fielders, or the Nats themselves did something to erase the chance.
The Nats shot themselves in the foot -- twice -- in the seventh inning. Adam Dunn led off with a double and Josh Willingham followed with a single, moving Dunn up 90 feet. Cristian Guzman hit a high chopper to Marquis, who stabbed it and caught Dunn straying from third base for the first out.
Dunn angrily tossed his batting helmet aside once he reached the bench.
Josh Bard, still hobbled by a strained groin, singled to right field, but third base coach Pat Listach held Willingham at third, respecting right fielder Brad Hawpe's powerful left arm. It was a good thing too, as Hawpe fired a perfect one-hop throw to catcher Chris Iannetta which surely would have nailed Willingham by several steps.
Belliard then ground peacefully into the rally-killing DP.
Nats starter Craig Stammen was maybe even more impressive than Marquis, save for the lone run he allowed in the first inning on a single by second baseman Clint Barmes and double by Todd Helton.
Stammen (L, 1-4, 4.88) went seven innings and allowed just that one earned run on five hits and one walk, and struck out three in the process. He induced two double plays, and got nine ground ball outs.
THE TAKEAWAY: "[Stammen] made pitches all day," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "He kept his sinker down and wasn't intimidated by the altitude here."
Indeed, it was Stammen's best performance to date, marred only by the offense's inability to scratch one out against Marquis. The Nats left eight men on base, failing to come up with the big hit time and again.
This road trip in Colorado and Houston is going to tell us a lot about this young pitching staff, and Stammen passed his first test with flying colors.
THE GOOD: Craig Stammen. He threw 62 of his 98 pitches for strikes, including 16 out of 25 first-pitch strikes.
THE BAD: Cristian Guzman. 0-for-4 in the sixth spot in the order.
THE UGLY: Ronnie Belliard. 0-for-4, with the rally killing DP. One day after looking like he might break out of his funk, Acta gave Belliard another start, and he failed to capitalize on the opportunity.
NEXT GAME: Tonight at 8:40 EDT in Colorado. Jordan Zimmermann (3-3, 4.52) takes on Jason Hammel (5-4, 3.90).
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