WASHINGTON -- There isn’t a linear path to redemption. It’s more like auto racing’s road course. You’re out navigating the curves and the dangers, get to where you want to be, then repeat. Ian Desmond knows what it’s like to put in those miles.
Desmond tied Thursday’s wild game with a ninth-inning leadoff homer, and Daniel Murphy -- who homered an inning earlier -- beat out a possible double play for an RBI to give the Rockies just their third victory in the last 20 games, 8-7 over the Nationals on Thursday afternoon at Nationals Park.
Before the homer off Fernando Rodney, Desmond was 1-for-9 for the four-game series, which would have been a Nats sweep if not for the Rox’s comeback. Clearly, he wasn’t alone in struggling. The Rockies entered 2019 expecting to make their third straight postseason trip, but will need a massive turnaround to come anywhere close.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever hit a home run where I’ve felt less likely to hit a home run,” said Desmond, who has 13 this season. “I’ve been in a boxing match with myself the last three days. I had just enough energy to get up off the mat and just throw the bat out there. But I’m glad it went over and I’m glad it helped us get a win.
“We don’t know how any season is going to go. But whether it’s this year or next or the year after that, it’s good lessons for all of us.”
After signing a five-year, $70 million contract before the 2017 season, Desmond dealt with injuries and the lost ability to hit for average for two years. This time, discussion and work with new hitting coach Dave Magadan led to a swing in which he released with the top hand and let the bat follow through naturally.
Desmond was batting .283 and slugging .518 through July 2. But his fortunes have waned with the team. He finished Thursday at .266 with .488 slugging, and can only hope Thursday was the start of a smoother part of the road.
After team-wide offensive struggles for three days, the Rockies clicked. Garrett Hampson’s two-run homer keyed a three-run fourth against perennial star Max Scherzer, who was returning from right shoulder bursa sac inflammation. Ryan McMahon homered for two sixth-inning runs off Matt Grace during his three-RBI day. Murphy went 3-for-5 with a solo shot in the eighth off Tony Sipp.
Desmond struck out in the seventh as a pinch-hitter before homering to improve to 5-for-22 during a road trip that has seen the Rockies go 2-5 heading into a three-game series starting Friday at Cincinnati.
“I can only speak for myself, and over my career I’ve been down a lot and it seems like somehow I manage to stand back up,” Desmond said. “For me it’s worked out really well in my career. Keep on believing in myself. Keep on fighting. Keep on trying. Keep on working. Usually, I end up upright.
“As a team, it’s equally important, because you learn so many lessons along the way.”