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By PATRICK STEVENS Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — CJ Abrams had the go-ahead RBI in a five-run fifth inning, Cade Cavalli won his fourth consecutive start and the Washington Nationals defeated Colorado 13-3 on Monday night to send the Rockies to their season-worst seventh consecutive loss.
Daylen Lile homered and drove in five runs for the Nationals, who had dropped three games in a row and seven of eight.
Willi Castro and Ezequiel Tovar homered for Colorado.
After going hitless for the first four innings against Rockies starter Ryan Feltner (5-8), the Nationals opened the fifth with two singles. Nasim Nuñez then laid down a sacrifice bunt toward third that Castro threw down the right-field line for an error, allowing two runs to score.
Abrams laced a double to right to drive in Nuñez and give the Nationals a 3-2 lead. Abrams stole third and scored on Abimelec Ortiz’s grounder. Lile and Brady House hit consecutive doubles to add another run.
Abrams, who missed the previous four games with a sprained ankle, went 1 for 4 with two stolen bases as Washington’s designated hitter.
The Nationals added three runs in the sixth and two in the seventh. Lile hit a three-run homer in the eighth.
Cavalli (12-5) struck out seven and allowed two runs in six innings. He is 7-1 with a 1.98 ERA in eight outings since the All-Star break and has started Washington’s last three victories.
Castro ripped the first pitch of the fourth off the foul pole in right. He’s hit eight of his 15 home runs since the All-Star break. Tovar led off the fifth with a shot to center, his 10th of the season.
Tovar was removed in the sixth with a strained left wrist. The shortstop got hurt while trying to catch Jacob Young’s single an inning earlier.
Feltner allowed seven runs — five earned — and struck out six in 5 2/3 innings.
Up next
Washington LHP Andrew Alvarez (2-5, 3.60 ERA) pitches Tuesday. Colorado had not announced a replacement for originally scheduled starter Kyle Freeland, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday.
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