WASHINGTON -- For the second time in three games, the Washington Nationals found themselves down 10-0. As with Sunday's game, they scratched out some runs, but not enough to close the gap. The result was a 10-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies before another sparse crowd at Nationals Park.
Tonight's victim was starter Scott Olsen. His fastball was flat, the slider did not bite, and as a result the Rockies teed off on him in the second inning and third innings.
Olsen (L, 0-1, 11.74) gave up six runs, all earned on seven hits and one walk. He struck out one and gave up one home run. He did all this without recording an out in the third inning.
It was far from the follow-up that he--or the team--wanted to his semi-successful first start of the season. If Olsen wants to be anything more than a placeholder for Stephen Strasburg, Chien Ming Wang or Ross Detwiler, he certainly didn't pitch like it.
While his velocity was decent, hitting 90 occasionally on the stadium gun, he got behind hitters constantly, and then when he had to challenge them he had nothing to get the job done.
All-star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki led off the second inning and Olsen immediately ran the count to 3-1 before giving up a long home run to the Rockies bullpen in left field.
After two outs, he walked catcher Miguel Olivo on five pitches. The next batter, 3B Ian Stewart, delivered a double to right center, scoring Olivo easily.
Olsen only got to face four batters in the third, but it was four too many. He gave up hits to each one and all would eventually score.
Tyler Walker was brought in with the score 4-0 with runners on first and third. But Walker would provide no relief, allowing the two inherited runners to score and getting torched himself for four more, including allowing a double to the opposing pitcher and a home run to lead-off hitter Ryan Spilborghs.
Walker setteld down in the subsequent two innings, striking out five in three total innings. But the damage was well done by that point.
The Nats got 12 hits in the losing cause, including a home run by Ryan Zimmerman. But there were just three other extra-base hits, and Adam Dunn struck out twice to end innings with two runners left on base.
Dunn, 0-for-4 tonight with four runners left on base, is hitting a paltry .163 so far this season, with just two extra base hits.
Cristian Guzman went 4-for-5 with a run and an RBI.
So far this season, the Nationals have a perfect 7-0 record when the starting pitcher goes at least five innings. Conversely, they are 0-7 when the starter fails to reach that mark.
Wednesday, John Lannan (1-1, 5.74) will get the change to challenge that record again, facing Jason Hammel (0-1, 11.42) at 7:05 pm.
NATS NOTES: The Rockies played Tuesday with heavy hearts, as their team president, Keli McGregor, passed away earlier in the day. He had been with the organization for 17 years and team president since 2001.
Colorado honored its president by hanging a jersey with the No. 88 in the dugout. That was the number McGregor wore as a two-time All-American tight end at Colorado State. He also played briefly with three NFL teams.
"Words cannot describe the level of shock and disbelief that we are feeling this morning at the loss of Keli," said team owner Charlie Monfort. "Our thoughts, our prayers are with Lori and the entire family as we all try to cope and inderstand how such a tragic loss could occur with such a wonderful man."
There was a moment of silence at National Park before the game in McGregor's honor.
All Photos 2010 © Cheryl Nichols Photography. All Rights Reserved.
There was a moment of silence at National Park before the game in McGregor's honor.
Scott Olsen is not a major league pitcher.
i think he's inthe process of proving you right.