Message #45711

[2k6nats]

Nationals 5
Rockies 10
Final


Jason Bergmann
0-1, 6.24 ERA


Aaron Cook
9-13, 4.15 ERA

Lineups:

Washington
LF Soriano
SS Lopez
3B Zimmerman
1B Johnson
2B Vidro
RF Church
C Schneider
CF Logan
P O'Connor

St. Louis
2B Carroll
1B Helton
3B Atkins
LF Holliday
RF Hawpe
SS Tulowitski
C Torrealba
CF Salazar
P Carpenter

Game Preview:

Jason Bergmann (0-1, 6.24 ERA) starts for Washington in the series opener. The right-hander spent the majority of the season in the bullpen and has made four starts since joining the rotation on Aug. 12. This is his first appearance against the Rockies.

Colorado (63-76) lost 2-0 in 11 innings to San Diego on Wednesday, its second loss in three days on a walk-off homer. The Rockies were swept in three games by the Padres, and have lost 14 of their last 18 overall.

''It's tough when you have so many chances and don't take advantage, not even once,'' Colorado's Todd Helton said. ''And our pitchers hold them down all game and we lose.''

Aaron Cook (9-13, 4.15) looks to snap out of a bad stretch when he starts for Colorado. The right-hander has allowed 21 runs - 17 earned - over his last four outings, going 1-3 in that span.

He gave up seven runs and six hits in five innings of a 14-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. The Rockies are just 9-19 when he starts this season.

Cook has a 3.60 ERA in four career appearances, including a start, against the Nationals franchise. He hasn't faced them since 2003 when they were still in Montreal.

The Rockies swept a four-game series with the Nationals at RFK Stadium from June 12-15 in their only meeting so far this season.