DENVER (AP) — Jake Irvin struck out nine in 6 1/3 innings, and the Washington Nationals beat the Colorado Rockies 3-2 in the first game of a split doubleheader on Sunday.
Irvin (2-0) scattered three hits and was one strikeout shy of tying his career-high, which came on June 23, 2024, at Coors Field.
Click to Gallery
Colorado Rockies' Zac Veen circles the bases after hitting a solo home run off Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jake Irvin in the fourth inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Angel Chivilli works against the Washington Nationals in the third inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland, left, heads to the dugout with trainer Keith Dugger as Freeland is pulled from the mound in the third inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies shortstop Kyle Farmer, front, reacts after tagging out Washington Nationals' Josh Bell while trying to steal second base in the fifth inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Washington Nationals shortstop Nasim Nuñez pulls in a pop fly off the bat of Colorado Rockies' Nick Martini in the second inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Washington Nationals' Trey Lipscomb slides safely into home plate to score on a throwing error by Colorado Rockies catcher Braxton Fulford in the second inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Washington Nationals shortstop Nasim Nuñez, left, applies a late tag as Colorado Rockies' Zac Veen steals second base as umpire Todd Tichenor waits to make the call in the fifth inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies' Zac Veen gestures to the bullpen after hitting a solo home run off Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jake Irvin in the fourth inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Zac Veen and Braxton Fulford each clubbed their first major league home runs for the Rockies, who have lost eight straight
Veen led off the third with a 412-foot shot into the seats in right and Fulford sent a 433-foot homer — his first big-league hit — into the left-field seats leading off the sixth. Fulford also had three throwing errors.
Colorado starter Kyle Freeland (0-4) left the game after two innings with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. He warmed up for the top of the third but was pulled before the start of the inning.
The Nationals scored three times in the second inning on a pair of errors by Fulford. The catcher’s throw to third to cut down Dylan Crews’ steal attempt sailed into left field for the first run.
Washington loaded the bases later in the inning and Fulford’s relay throw to first on a double-play ball went over Michael Toglia’s head, bringing home two more.
Kyle Finnegan uncorked a wild pitch on a third strike to Hunter Goodman in the ninth inning, which allowed Ryan McMahon to go from first to third. Finnegan got Nick Martini to ground out for his eighth save.
Finnegan now has 96 career saves with the Nationals, which is second in club history since the team moved to Washington.
The teams will wrap up the series in the nightcap of the split doubleheader, with the Nationals sending RHP Brad Lord (0-1, 4.82 ERA) to the mound while the Rockies counter with RHP Antonio Senzatela (0-3, 5.89).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Colorado Rockies' Zac Veen circles the bases after hitting a solo home run off Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jake Irvin in the fourth inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Angel Chivilli works against the Washington Nationals in the third inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland, left, heads to the dugout with trainer Keith Dugger as Freeland is pulled from the mound in the third inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies shortstop Kyle Farmer, front, reacts after tagging out Washington Nationals' Josh Bell while trying to steal second base in the fifth inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Washington Nationals shortstop Nasim Nuñez pulls in a pop fly off the bat of Colorado Rockies' Nick Martini in the second inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Washington Nationals' Trey Lipscomb slides safely into home plate to score on a throwing error by Colorado Rockies catcher Braxton Fulford in the second inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Washington Nationals shortstop Nasim Nuñez, left, applies a late tag as Colorado Rockies' Zac Veen steals second base as umpire Todd Tichenor waits to make the call in the fifth inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies' Zac Veen gestures to the bullpen after hitting a solo home run off Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jake Irvin in the fourth inning of Game 1 of a split baseball doubleheader Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
