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Jake Irvin scattered three hits over 6 1/3 innings and Trey Lipscomb had two hits as the Washington Nationals beat the Colorado Rockies 3-2 in the first game of a split doubleheader Sunday afternoon in Denver.

Irvin (2-0) struck out nine to beat Colorado for the first time in three career starts. Kyle Finnegan got the final three outs for his eighth save.

Zac Veen and Braxton Fulford each hit their first major-league home runs for the Rockies, who have dropped eight straight. Colorado (3-17) is off to the worst start in franchise history.

Rockies starter Kyle Freeland (0-4) left the game after two innings due to a blister on the middle finger of his left (pitching) hand.

Freeland warmed up for the top of the third inning before manager Bud Black and a trainer came to the mound. He was taken out of the game and Angel Chivilli came on in relief.

Freeland allowed three runs — one earned – and three hits to go with one walk and two strikeouts in his two innings of work.

The Nationals got their three runs in the second inning. Two were a result of two Fulford throwing errors.

The first run came when Dylan Crews broke for third on a steal attempt and the catcher’s throw went into left field, allowing Crews to trot home.

After a walk and infield single loaded the bases with one out, Nasim Nunez hit a comebacker to Freeland, who threw home for the forceout. Fulford’s throw to first to complete the 1-2-3 double play was too high for Michael Toglia, which allowed Jacob Young and Lipscomb scored.

Fulford also had a throwing error in the ninth.

Veen led off the third with a 412-shot into the seats in right field. It was Colorado’s only hit until Fulford’s 433-foot homer leading off the bottom of the sixth.

It was Fulford’s first major-league hit and came in his second big league game. The 26-year-old made his debut Wednesday at the Los Angeles Dodgers.

With the tying run on third with two outs in the ninth, Finnegan got Nick Martini to ground out to first base to end the game.

–Field Level Media