The Nationals lost 6-4 to the Rockies on July 16, 2025, after Kyle Finnegan gave up two ninth-inning homers. A painful collapse highlights the team's rebuild.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was one of those nights at Nationals Park. A brief moment of hope, a flash of what could be, ultimately swallowed by a gut-wrenching finish. The Nationals' 6-4 loss to the Rockies, sealed by a pair of ninth-inning home runs, felt all too familiar. But as the small crowd of 11,370 filed out, the story of this team wasn't just about another loss in the standings; it was about the stark contrast between the present struggles and the tantalizing promise of the future.
The Nationals managed only four hits, with no player recording more than one.
The game felt winnable for a moment. After falling behind early on a two-run shot by Colorado's Hunter Goodman in the first, the Nats clawed back. A three-run rally in the fifth inning gave them a precarious 4-3 lead, injecting some life into the ballpark. Starter Jake Irvin did his job, battling through the early damage. But the bullpen couldn't hold on. Closer Kyle Finnegan, usually reliable, surrendered a game-tying solo homer to Goodman—his second of the night—to lead off the ninth. Before the Nats could even recover, Mickey Moniak launched a two-run blast, and just like that, the lead was gone and the game was lost. Finnegan took the loss, and the offense, which scattered just four singles all night, couldn't muster a response.
Amidst the offensive woes, the continued emergence of Brady House provides a crucial silver lining. The rookie infielder, who blasted his first career home run earlier this week, is looking more comfortable at the plate with each passing game. While he only had one of the team's four hits tonight, his presence in the lineup represents a tangible piece of the rebuild. Fans are watching him closely, not just for his daily results, but for signs that he can be the cornerstone player the organization desperately needs. Every solid at-bat and every defensive play is a data point suggesting the front office got this one right.
Nights like tonight, where both pitching and hitting fall short, perfectly frame the debate raging within the Nationals' front office. With the #1 pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, the team faces a franchise-altering decision. Will it be Oklahoma right-hander Kyson Witherspoon, a polished arm who could potentially accelerate the pitching staff's rebuild? Or will they opt for California prep shortstop Billy Carlson, a high-ceiling talent who could solidify a key position for the next decade? It's the classic 'safer, faster help' versus 'long-term superstar potential' dilemma. For a farm system ranked in the middle of the pack, this pick is more than just an injection of talent; it's a statement about the direction and philosophy of the entire organization.
Losing stings, and a ninth-inning collapse is a particularly bitter pill to swallow. But for the 2025 Nationals, success isn't solely measured in the win-loss column. It's measured in the development of players like Brady House and the strategic decisions that will shape the next five years. As the team looks to shake off this loss, all eyes will soon turn to the draft, where the next potential franchise savior awaits. The present may be painful, but the future is where the real hope lies.
