Rockies at Nationals
Colorado center fielder Charlie Blackmon could miss his third straight game when the Rockies open a four-game series against the host Washington Nationals on Thursday. Blackmon is dealing with quadriceps tightness, and the Rockies could potentially be without star third baseman Nolan Arenado later in the series due to his role in Wednesday's brawl against the San Diego Padres.
Arenado charged the mound after a pitch from San Diego's Luis Perdomo sailed behind his back as five players from the two teams were ejected during the benches-clearing melee. "It is what it is, I don't have much to say about it," Arenado told reporters after Colorado's 6-4 victory in regards to a sure suspension. "I don't want to talk too much about it. What happened took place on the field." Washington has dropped six of its last eight contests after falling to the Atlanta Braves 5-3 in 12 innings on Wednesday. Nationals star right fielder Bryce Harper was 2-of-10 with no RBIs in the three-game set after hitting six homers and driving in 12 runs over the first nine games.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, A&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Chad Bettis (1-0, 2.53 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 1.59)
Bettis received a no-decision against the Braves in his last turn after defeating the Padres in his first start. The 28-year-old pitched fewer than six innings in each outing and has given up nine hits along with six walks over 10 2/3 innings. Bettis is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against the Nationals and has struggled with Trea Turner (3-for-5, one homer).
Gonzalez allowed one run in each of his first two starts as he defeated the Cincinnati Reds in his first turn before taking a no-decision against the New York Mets in his last outing. The 32-year-old has struck out 13 batters over 11 1/3 innings and has yet to allow a homer after serving up a career-worst 21 last season. Gonzalez is 4-0 with a 3.58 ERA in five career starts against the Rockies and has enjoyed success against Carlos Gonzalez (2-for-11, five strikeouts) and Arenado (1-for-8).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Nationals went 4-3 against the Rockies last season and scored 11 or more runs in three of their victories.
2. Washington placed CF Adam Eaton (ankle) on the 10-day disabled list, activated C Matt Wieters (oblique) off the DL, recalled OF Moises Sierra from Triple-A Syracuse and designated C Miguel Montero for assignment.
3. Colorado INF Pat Valaika's RBI single on Wednesday represents the team's first pinch hit of the season in 24 such at-bats.