Desmond, Murphy fuel comeback win in D.C.

WASHINGTON» July has been especially cruel to the Rockies, but their 8-7 comeback win over the Nationals on Thursday afternoon was one of their sweetest victories of the season.

In the ninth inning, Ian Desmond tied the game, 7-7, with a leadoff home run off Fernando Rodney, and then Daniel Murphy’s fielder’s choice groundout chased home Charlie Blackmon with the go-ahead run. Murphy, who had to turn on the jets to avoid a double play, finished a triple short of the cycle, and his home run to lead off the eighth put the Rockies within striking distance.

“We are all just scratching and clawing and trying to get back to playing good baseball,” said Desmond after Colorado won for just the fourth time in its last 20 games.

Desmond’s home run, his 13th, surprised him.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever hit a home run where I felt less likely to hit a home run,” he said. “I was in a boxing match with myself for three days. I just had enough energy to get up off the mat and throw my bat out there. I’m just glad it went over (the wall) and I was able to contribute to a win.”

Wade Davis earned his 15th save with three strikeouts in the ninth as the Rockies dodged a fourgame sweep.

Colorado’s victory included a huge at-bat by Ryan McMahon, whose two-run homer in the sixth inning put the Rockies ahead 5-3.

But that lead quickly evaporated in the bottom of the frame when the Nationals torched reliever Bryan Shaw for three runs. And when Matt Adams launched a solo shot off Sam Howard in the seventh, Colorado appeared headed for another gut-punch loss.

Shaw’s meltdown was ugly. He issued one-out walks to Brian Dozier and Victor Robles, who then pulled off a double steal. Ge