Daylen Lile Homers as Nationals Beat Rockies 7-1 to Split Series

WASHINGTON — Daylen Lile hit a home run and drove in two runs during his three-hit game. The Washington Nationals defeated the Colorado Rockies 7-1 on Thursday, splitting their four-game series.

Keibert Ruiz also homered for the Nationals, who had lost 12 out of their last 15 games. This was the first time the Nationals won a game started by a pitcher other than Cade Cavalli since August 9.

The Rockies fell to an NL-worst record of 52-82, securing their eighth straight losing season. They struggled offensively, going 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position and leaving 13 men on base.

Lile started the fifth inning with a home run to right field off Gabriel Hughes, his 18th homer of the season. The left fielder excelled in the series, going 8 for 15 with three homers and eight RBIs.

Tom Cosgrove pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, earning his first win since his MLB debut on April 29, 2023—a span of 89 appearances.

The Nationals scored twice in the first inning. Lile hit a bloop RBI single, and Brady House added a sacrifice fly. The Rockies briefly tied the game in the third inning but struggled to capitalize on opportunities.

Washington extended their lead in the fourth inning when Dylan Crews’ bases-loaded grounder allowed Jacob Young to score. Ruiz capped the game with a two-run homer in the eighth inning.

Gabriel Hughes gave up four runs in five innings, allowing seven hits and four walks. Jake Irvin pitched 4 1/3 innings for Washington, giving up one run on three hits and six walks.

The Rockies will face RHP Tomoyuki Sugano in Atlanta Friday, while the Nationals’ Jackson Kent will start against Miami.