ROCKIES NAB PLAYOFF SPOT WITH 52 WIN
Eighth victory in a row for Colorado
The moment came with closer Wade Davis striking out superstar Bryce Harper looking at a 95 mph fastball.
With that, the Rockies were officially playoff bound with a 52 victory over the Nationals on Friday night at soldout Coors Field. And while the players celebrated on the field, it looked like a team that still has much work ahead of it. There were hugs, highfives and handshakes, but no craziness.
“There is so much happiness on this team right now,” shortstop Trevor Story said in the clubhouse, where the players poured champagne but kept the postgame party relatively short and sweet. “We aren’t done yet, we know that, but getting to the postseason ain’t easy, so we’re celebrating a little bit. But we’re coming back for business tomorrow.”
The Rockies’ seasonhigh eighth consecutive win was powered by a gutsy performance from starter Kyle Freeland and a quartet of home runs from Charlie Blackmon, Ian Desmond, Chris Iannetta and David Dahl.
The victory clinched, at minimum, a National League wildcard berth for the Rockies (9070), thanks to the Cubs’ 84 win over the Cardinals in Chicago on Friday afternoon. The Cardinals are now on the brink of playoff elimination.
Now, Rocktober II is just around the
corner. Just where the Rockies will begin their postseason journey — and against whom — remains to be seen. Colorado, searching for the first National League West title in its 26year history, entered Friday with a onegame lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers played at archrival San Francisco in a late game Friday night.
“We’ve got a good group, man, and we’re not done,” said Rockies manager Bud Black. “We know what’s ahead of us, and this group is on point.
“This is a baseball group with a high IQ , and they know the bigger picture. But I also know that this should be enjoyed tonight.”
What is known for sure is that the Rockies clinched playoff appearances in backtoback seasons for the first time in franchise history. They earned a wildcard game last season but lost it 118 at Arizona.
These Rockies have not resembled the Blake Street Bombers very often this season — not until this homestand. Now they are blasting home runs to all parts of the LoDo ballpark.
Dahl, in particular, has gotten hot at just the right time. His 417foot solo home run Friday to lead off the sixth gave him five longballs in five consecutive games, putting him in some elite company. The only other Rockies to accomplish that are Dante Bichette, Larry Walker and Nolan Arenado.
Arenado holds the franchise record, homering in six consecutive games from Sept. 15, 2015.
Blackmon’s twoout, solo homer in the third inning off starter Joe Ross put the Rockies ahead 10. Blackmon’s 28th home run of the season slid just over the rightfield wall, and just inside the foul pole.
The game turned in the fifth when the Rockies came to the plate trailing 31. Carlos Gonzalez began the rally by beating out an infield single. Up to the plate stepped Desmond, who had grounded into a double play with the bases loaded in the second. But he delivered big time in his second atbat, driving Ross’ 10, 90 mph fastball over the fence in rightcenter.
Iannetta immediately followed up with a 469foot blast to left center, sending the crowd of 48,089 into a frenzy.
“This was a playoff atmosphere tonight, for sure,” Arenado said. “But the good thing is, this team was in a playoff atmosphere last year.
“I’m really happy for Ian. That was a great swing, and to see him get a big hit at that time was huge.”
Washington packed the bases in the third inning on singles by Victor Robles and Harper, and a walk by Juan Soto. Up to the plate came dangerous, slugging first baseman Mark Reynolds. The former Rockie got ahead in the count 31, but Freeland rallied to strike him out, with Reynolds taking out his frustration on his bat.
And the Rockies, as they have done so often this season, rallied for the victory.