Rockies rookie Tanner Gordon roughed up in 6-1 loss to Nationals

On-the-job training can be rough.

Just ask the Rockies, who lost 6-1 to Washington Wednesday night at Nationals Park.

Rookie right-hander Tanner Gordon, making his seventh big-league start, received a few more hard lessons on a night when the Nats tagged him for five runs on eight hits over four innings. The big blow was delivered by Luis Garcia, who launched a three-run homer in the third inning. He ripped Gordon’s 1-1 slider 419 feet over the center-field wall.

Manager Bud Black said that Gordon has a lot more work to do.

“He was a little bit short on the command side, especially with his fastball,” Black told reporters. “The (changeup) is a big part of his arsenal. He threw some good ones, but they had some good swings on some other ones.

“So, not really sharp. He hasn’t been as sharp as when he first got here with us.”

Gordon, 0-5 with a 7.55 ERA, has served up eight home runs in 31 innings and opponents are hitting .331 against him. Gordon and reliever Victor Vodnik were acquired before last year’s trade deadline in a deal that shipped reliever Pierce Johnson to Atlanta.

Washington left-hander Mitchell Parker had no problems with Colorado’s offense. Parker limited the Rockies to one run on five hits over seven innings. He walked just one and struck out six. He needed just 83 pitches (61 strikes) to get through his seven innings.

“Good fastball, good live arm,” Black said. “His fastball plays. It’s got a lot of movement in the hitting area. His fastball has a little giddyup at the end. He got inside on us a little bit … ran the ball away from us. Good changeup and threw a good changeup to the lefties.”

In addition to Gordon, the Rockies started two more rookies. Catcher Drew Romo hit 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and is hitting .091 in  (1 for 11) over his first four big-league games.

The Rockies, however, have been impressed with his work behind the plate.

“Drew is doing fine, defensively,” Black said. “The game-calling has been on point. Great communication with the pitchers in between innings. He’s got some energy, he seems calm, and he’s blocking the heck out of the ball.

“He’s doing everything you want defensively. I’m sure if you talk to him, he’ll tell you that he wants a couple of hits. But the hits will come. He’s going to hit.”

Rookie Jordan Beck got the start in right field and went 0-for-3. He’s hitting .208.

Right-hander Jeff Criswell made his major debut Wednesday, getting called up when rookie closer Vodnik was placed on the 15-day injured list with right biceps inflammation. Criswell pitched a scoreless seventh inning, allowing one hit.

He became the 12th rookie to appear in a game for the Rockies in August, the most in any month for the Rockies (excluding September) since 12 appeared in a game in August 2019.

The Rockies’ lone run came in the seventh. Ryan McMahon reached on a leadoff bunt single and scored on Brendan Rodgers’ double to right-center.

Rodgers continues to rake. He hit 2-for-4 and has hit safely in 15 of 17 games in August, batting .364, with seven doubles, three home runs, 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored.

Center fielder Brenton Doyle is also hot. He went 2-for-4 with a double and has hit safely in a career-high 10 straight games. During the streak, he’s slashing .375/419/.575, with three doubles, a triple, a home run, four RBIs and nine runs scored.

The teams play the rubber match of their three-game series on Thursday afternoon.