Nationals at Rockies
Nolan Arenado is heating up for the Colorado Rockies, who continue their three-game series against the visiting Washington Nationals on Tuesday. The Rockies have won seven of their last eight contests behind Arenado, who became the youngest player in franchise history to reach 1,000 career hits on Monday.
The four-time All-Star went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and three runs scored in Monday’s 7-5 win while Trevor Story extended his hitting streak to 11 games and Mark Reynolds belted his third homer. Arenado, who capped the victory by starting a dazzling double play, has gone 10-for-28 with four homers and eight RBIs over his last seven games. Washington has lost three of its last four contests despite the play of Adam Eaton, who is 14-for-34 during his eight-game hitting streak. Brian Dozier has homered in three of his last four games after launching a three-run blast in Monday’s loss.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Patrick Corbin (1-0, 2.36 ERA) vs. TBD
Corbin earned his first victory with the Nationals on Thursday after holding San Francisco to one run and two hits with nine strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old New Yorker has allowed a total of two earned runs with 20 strikeouts and two walks over 14 2/3 frames in his last two turns. Arenado is 12-for-41 with three home runs against Corbin, who owns an 8-4 record and 4.82 ERA in 21 career games (20 starts) versus Colorado.
Jeff Hoffman could be recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to make a spot start in place of Kyle Freeland, who was placed on the injured list Monday due to a blister on the middle finger of his left hand. Chad Bettis likely would have received the assignment but will be unavailable after working three innings of relief in the series opener. Hoffman, who appeared in six games with the Rockies last year, has gone 0-2 with a 13.89 ERA in three games (two starts) for the Isotopes this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon has missed the last two games due to elbow soreness but could return Tuesday.
2. Colorado 1B Daniel Murphy (finger) has played three rehab games with Triple-A Albuquerque and could be activated from the injured list as soon as Tuesday.
3. Washington optioned RHP Austin Adams to Triple-A Fresno and recalled INF Jake Noll from the Grizzlies.