Nationals drop finale to Rockies, 5-3

The Washington Nationals are scuffling with themselves, losing again on Sunday, 5-3, to Colorado, their fifth loss in seven games.

The Nats (75-55) still have an eight-game lead over the equally struggling Miami Marlins (67-63), but though the rough week didn’t take a toll on the team’s place in the standings, it still feels like a jolt to the system.

Rookie Lucas Giolito (0-1, 5.63 ERA, 1.81 WHIP) gave up four runs on six hits in five innings, striking out two and walking two.

The big blows came with two outs in the third, on back-to-back pitches, a two-run homer by Nolan Arenado and David Dahl that put the Rockies (62-68) up 4-1.

Washington got all of its runs on solo homers – from Trea Turner (.345/.366/.548, 5 HR, 21 RBI), Wilson Ramos (.314/.363/.516, 20 HR, 69 RBI) and Bryce Harper (.254/.387/.471, 23 HR, 74 RBI).