The Colorado Rockies apparently have no intention of simply limping to the conclusion of a disappointing season.
Last-place Colorado could have easily gone through the motions after falling behind the Washington Nationals by four runs on Friday night. Instead, the Rockies used an eighth-inning grand slam from Carlos Gonzalez to pull out a 5-4 victory.
"Our guys fight to the final out," manager Walt Weiss said. "We've had some really tough losses ... but our guys continue to fight. Playing in close games, every once in a while you get your heart ripped out. But you also win games like this, too."
Colorado now has won two straight for the first time since the All-Star break. The trade of Troy Tulowitzki on July 28 was the unofficial concession that no playoff run will occur, but the Rockies are still playing gritty baseball.
In this one, Colorado trailed 4-0 in the sixth and by three runs in the eighth when the Nationals brought it reliever Drew Storen, who hadn't given up a run in 14 appearances since June 24.
With two outs and a runner on first, Jose Reyes and Nolan Arenado singled to load the bases for Gonzalez, who drove a 1-0 pitch into the Washington bullpen beyond the wall in right field. It was only the second home run allowed by Storen (2-1) this season.
"A couple of guys get on base for various reasons and then I make one bad pitch, a fastball over the plate to a very good hitter," Storen said.
Since June 1, Gonzalez leads the NL with 19 home runs. This one was particularly enjoyable.
"A big moment. I knew that was the key to the game," Gonzalez said. "Storen has been great the whole season. It was just a rough outing for him."
The loss dropped the Nationals 2 1/2 games behind the first-place New York Mets in the NL East. Washington wasted a strong outing by Jordan Zimmermann, who allowed one run, four hits and no walks in 6 2-3 innings.
Bryce Harper scored two runs, singled, walked twice and hit a run-scoring grounder for the Nationals. Washington scored in three different innings against Jorge De La Rosa, and Harper was in the middle of each uprising.
One swing by Gonzalez, however, undid the lead that Harper helped build. Washington was 46-3 when ahead after seven innings.
"Drew's been unbelievable all year for us," Harper said. "Nothing you can do about that."
Scott Oberg (3-2) pitched a scoreless seventh inning, John Axford worked the eighth and Tommy Kahnle got three outs for his first major league save, striking out Harper to end it.
De La Rosa gave up three earned runs and six hits in six innings. Colorado's career leader in wins (76) has earned only one of them since July 5.
Washington got an unearned run in the first inning. Espinosa doubled, took third when left fielder Kyle Parker misplayed the ball and scored on a groundout by Harper, his first RBI in nine games.
Harper led off the fourth with a single and scored on a double by Ryan Zimmerman for a 2-0 lead.
The Nationals added two runs in the sixth. After Espinosa got an infield hit and Harper walked, Jayson Werth hit a sacrifice fly and Ian Desmond followed with an RBI double.
Colorado finally broke through against Zimmermann in the seventh, when Arenado led off with a double and scored on a two-out single by Ben Paulsen.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: INF Anthony Rendon was given the day off, a precaution after his recent return from a left quad strain. "If we push him too hard it can flare up again," manager Matt Williams said.
ON DECK
Rockies: RHP Eddie Butler (3-8, 5.45 ERA) faces Washington for the first time on Saturday. He's 0-3 with an 8.41 ERA in four starts since May 30.
Nationals: Stephen Strasburg (5-5, 5.16 ERA) returns from the 15-day DL (oblique) to make his first start since July 4.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.