The Washington Nationals kept their July climb going Monday, riding three home runs to a 7-3 win over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Andrés Chaparro drove in three, and CJ Abrams and Jacob Young each went deep.
Chaparro’s home run keyed the middle innings, while Abrams added a two-run shot and Young connected for a solo drive as part of a three-hit night. Curtis Mead also had three hits, giving Washington a balanced attack in the thin Colorado air.
The story was as much about the arms behind the starter. Andrew Alvarez labored through 4 1/3 innings and gave up three runs, but the bullpen was flawless: Riley Cornelio, Matt Krook and Tom Cosgrove combined for 4 2/3 scoreless innings to close out the win. Kyle Freeland took the loss for Colorado, and Willi Castro drove in all three Rockies runs.
Washington moved to 51-50, a second straight win that nudges a rebuilding club back above .500 in late July. For a team that spent the early season measuring progress in flashes, stacking road wins — even at hitter-friendly Coors — is a genuine step for a young roster.
On the fantasy side, Chaparro is worth a look on the waiver wire while he is producing in the middle of the order; Abrams remains a strong five-category shortstop; and Young’s speed makes him a useful stolen-base source in deeper leagues. Cornelio’s clean multi-inning outing is worth filing away in holds formats.
