Turner hits for cycle in Nats' 15-12 win over Rockies
DENVER -- Trea Turner hit for the cycle and drove in a career-high seven runs Tuesday night as the Washington Nationals raced to a seven-run lead and held off Colorado Rockies 15-12.
Turner, who went 4-for-6, singled in the first, doubled home two runs in the second, hit his first homer of the season in the sixth (a two-run shot), and tripled home three runs in the seventh.
Daniel Murphy tied his career high with five RBIs while going 3-for-5 with a three-run triple that highlighted a five-run second against German Marquez, who was making his 2016 debut. Marquez (0-1) lasted four innings, giving up nine hits and eight runs, the final seven with two outs.
Nationals starter Joe Ross was unable to qualify for the win as he worked only 4 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and five runs.
The Rockies trailed 7-0 in the second but chipped away at the deficit by scoring in four consecutive innings. After DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado doubled in runs to trim the Nationals' lead to 8-5, Ross issued a two-out walk and was relieved by Enny Romero.
Romero (2-1), the losing pitcher Monday, came on and got Gerardo Parra to ground out to end the fifth. He worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
Turner's triple highlighted a five-run seventh that put the Nationals ahead 15-5. But the Rockies scored two runs in the bottom half and four in the eighth when Charlie Blackmon hit a two-run homer, his seventh of the season. Blackmon had three hits and three RBIs.
Nationals manager Dusty Baker had to call on closer Shawn Kelley to pitch the ninth. Parra greeted him with his third homer before Kelley retired the next three batters to end the game.
With two outs in the second, Marquez walked Ross on eight pitches, the start of a five-run uprising that put the Nationals ahead 7-0 as they batted around. The rally included a bases-loaded triple by Murphy on a 1-2 fastball after Marquez issued consecutive walks in what became a 33-pitch inning.
The Nationals pushed across two runs in the first.
Turner singled with one out and scored on a double by Bryce Harper when right fielder Carlos Gonzalez picked the ball up on the wet grass and dropped it while throwing.
Harper scored with two outs on Murphy's infield single. He grounded a ball that shortstop Trevor Story knocked down deep in the hole but couldn't hold.
Gonzalez hit his second homer in the second, Blackmon singled home a run in the third and Mark Reynolds hit his seventh homer in the fourth.
NOTES: The start of the game was delayed 66 minutes by rain. ... At least one run was scored in every inning. ... Rockies CF Charlie Blackmon extended his hitting streak to 10 games, going 3-for-5. ... Rockies 1B/OF Stephen Cardullo was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque to clear a roster spot for RHP German Marquez, who was recalled to make the start. ... Rockies 1B Ian Desmond (fractured left hand) is close to playing in games at extended spring training. ... Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg, who was placed on the paternity list Monday, and his wife, Rachel, welcomed their second child and second daughter. ... Washington 1B Ryan Zimmerman was moved to the cleanup spot because of his solid start after hitting fifth most of the month. He went 1-for-4 with a walk and scored two runs.