Finally a win: Three takeaways from the Rockies' Sunday twin bill at Coors Field

It took eight games, and a uniform change, but the Colorado Rockies finally broke their streak.

On Sunday, the Rockies finally got to showcase their new City Connect uniforms, and they beat the Washington Nationals 3-1, snapping an eight-game losing streak. The win salvaged a split in the day-night doubleheader Sunday at Coors Field.

The offense again struggled, but Mickey Moniak’s two-run triple and Jordan Beck’s score in the eighth inning was enough overcome the Nationals, who had won 3-2 earlier Sunday. The Rockies also got an outstanding start from Antonio Senzatela, who went six innings allowing just one run, while the bullpen closed things out as Colorado improved to 4-17 on the season.

The City Connect jerseys also seemed like a good luck charm because the Rockies suffered some bad luck earlier Sunday in the game one loss to the Nats.

Zac Veen and Braxton Fullford each hit their first home runs as Rox, but, Fullford struggled with errors behind the playe, which led to the Nats 3-0 lead, a lead that even the two solo homers couldn’t erase.

The throwing errors also hampered Kyle Freeland’s start as he fell to 0-4 after staying in the game just two innings.

The Rockies managed just four hits in game one, but did add the two dingers. Colorado did still strike out 12 times, which has become an alarming trend these days.

Now, the Rockies will embark on a quick three-game set at Kansas City starting Tuesday night before coming back to Denver for a six-game homestand, which includes next weekend’s Cooors Field 30th Birthday Party.

Before the Rockies head to K.C. here’s three big takes from Sunday’s doubleheader.

3. The bullpen was outstanding on Sunday

For a change, Colorado’s bullpen was really strong. In game one, Angel Chivilli, Jimmy Hergert, Scott Alexander and Seth Halvorsen allowed just three hits and no runs in seven innings, and gave the Rockies’ offense every shot to win in the game. Then, in the nightcap, Jake Bird and Tyler Kinley closed the door on the Nationals, in what was a much-needed strong day for Colorado’s much-maligned relievers. Zach Agnos also made his MLB debut in the win.

2. Will the offense ever get hot?

Not on a chilly weekend at Coors. Sure, the Rockies won the second game of the doubleheader, but, overall, the numbers were ugly. The Rockies, in two games, totaled just 11 hits and five runs. They left 13 runners on base and struck out a whopping 22 times. That kind of offensive production isn’t what the Rockies had in mind when the season started, nor when they moved Clint Hurdle to hitting coach earlier this week.

1. Mickey Moniak is trending

Many questioned the move to bring Moniak in at the end of spring training, especially when the Angels didn’t even want him. But he’s had big moments at the plate, and did again on Sunday. His defense has been even better, and while the Rockies seem to like a rotating outfield, Moniak is making it harder and harder on Bud Black to leave him off the lineup card. And needless to say, the Rockies wouldn’t have won Sunday night without him.