Rockies crush Nationals 10-6 on July 17, tying a franchise record with 7 homers. Michael Toglia and Hunter Goodman led the power surge in a historic win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
For one night, the gloom hanging over 20th and Blake Street lifted, replaced by the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd. The Colorado Rockies put on a historic power display Thursday, launching a franchise record-tying seven home runs to blast past the Washington Nationals 10-6. It was a cathartic offensive explosion that gave fans a glimpse of what this team could be, even if just for a night.
The 10 home runs hit by the Rockies over their last two games are the most in any two-game span in franchise history.
The party started and never stopped. Michael Toglia led the charge with two solo shots, but he had plenty of company. Hunter Goodman, Ryan McMahon, Thairo Estrada, Sam Hilliard, and Mickey Moniak all went yard in a relentless aerial assault. The turning point came in a wild six-run seventh inning, where four balls left the park, punctuated by Goodman's decisive three-run bomb. The win, secured by a solid five-inning performance from Antonio Senzatela, marked the Rockies' third straight victory—a rare feat this season. The team's 10 homers in the last two games set a new franchise benchmark, a stunning display of power for a club desperate for positive headlines.
Even as baseballs flew out of Coors Field, a different conversation was happening off the field. A recent report delved into the growing discussion of a fan boycott, questioning if empty seats could finally force the Monfort ownership to change its approach. With attendance down by half a million since 2018, the financial impact is real—an estimated $25 million in lost revenue annually for a team uniquely dependent on gate and concession sales. However, experts caution that fan boycotts have almost no history of successfully forcing ownership changes in North American sports, leaving frustrated fans in a difficult position: keep showing up and funding the status quo, or stay home and risk being ignored?
The backdrop to all of this is the fast-approaching trade deadline. With top prospects Chase Dollander and Adael Amador now in the majors, the farm system is again in the spotlight. Described by insiders as a 'disaster at the big league level,' the Rockies are widely expected to be sellers, aiming to restock a system that needs more high-end talent. This means veterans on the current roster could be on the move in exchange for prospects who, like recent draft pick Max Belyeu, represent the future. For a team that just won three straight, the reality is that the front office is likely more focused on 2028 than the next series.
So, what are we to make of this? A historic night of power provides a thrilling, yet likely temporary, distraction from the deeper issues plaguing the franchise. While seven home runs are a reason to cheer, the empty seats and the looming trade deadline tell a more complete story. Can this power surge build momentum, or is it just a fleeting highlight before the front office continues its perpetual rebuild? The next two weeks leading up to the deadline will be telling.
