The Washington Nationals dropped the first game of a three game series against the Colorado Rockies 3-2 on Friday night. The Nationals not only suffered a loss, but suffered a big scare in the top of the fourth.
Colorado's Ty Wiggington was squaring off against Nationals pitcher John Lannan with the Nationals leading 1-0 when Wiggington smacked a shot right back at the mound. Lannan was able to turn partially away, but the ball caught him in the face. Lannan crouched to the ground briefly in pain holding his face, but stood up again in obvious pain. The ball had hit him on the nose and he was immediately taken out of the game. Lannan walked off the field on his own accord wincing and looking like he was having trouble breathing.
However, the Rockies were able to score a run and tie the game. This started a domino effect as three consecutive singles were hit by the Rockies offense off reliever Ryan Mattheus and quickly the game went into the Rockies favor and stayed there. Lannan ended up only going 3.1 innings giving up three runs on three hits and striking out five. Lannan will no doubt miss time creating a troubling hole for the Nationals in their rotation.
The only offense the Nats could muster off Jason Hammel and the Colorado bullpen came off a Michael Morse sac-fly in the first-inning and a Wilson Ramos solo home run in the fourth.
The Nationals are back at .500 with a 45-45 record.