Rockies at Nationals
DJ LeMahieu looks to follow up the second multi-homer performance of his career when the Colorado Rockies visit the Washington Nationals on Friday for the second contest of their four-game set. LeMahieu went 4-for-5 with two blasts and four RBIs in Thursday's series-opening 5-1 victory and already is halfway to last season's total of eight homers.
LeMahieu is 7-for-10 with three doubles over his last two games in addition to the two blasts. His hot bat again could come in handy on Friday as it appears Charlie Blackmon (quadriceps) likely will miss his fourth consecutive contest. Washington has dropped seven of its last nine games and has seen Bryce Harper go from lava hot to frigid cold. Harper struck out in three of his four hitless at-bats in the opener and is 2-for-14 without an RBI over his last four contests after hitting six homers and driving in 12 runs over the first nine games of the year.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, A&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado), MASN2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Kyle Freeland (0-2, 5.56 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Tanner Roark (1-0, 4.50)
Freeland has served up two homers in each of his two starts, accounting for one-third of the hits he allowed during the setbacks. The 24-year-old has lost six consecutive decisions dating back to July 30, when he defeated the Nationals in Washington. Freeland allowed four runs - three earned - and nine hits over five innings in that outing and was taken deep by both Wilmer Difo and Ryan Zimmerman.
Roark struck out nine over five innings in a no-decision against the New York Mets in his last turn but allowed five runs, five hits and four walks. The 31-year-old surrendered two homers in the contest, following a trend as he gave up a career-worst 23 last season. Roark is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) versus the Rockies and has struggled against Gerardo Parra (5-for-14, homer).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rockies have won five of their last six games at Washington.
2. Colorado SS Trevor Story struck out four times in five at-bats on Thursday and has fanned 20 times in 52 at-bats.
3. Zimmerman went 0-for-3 in the opener and is hitting a woeful .103 on the season.