DENVER — The playoff-bound Colorado Rockies are headed to Los Angeles for a tiebreaking game to decide the NL West title after routing the Washington Nationals 12-0 on Sunday behind Charlie Blackmon’s cycle.
Tied atop the division with the Dodgers entering the last day, the Rockies won for the ninth time in 10 games, while Los Angeles routed San Francisco 15-0 to send the season to game 163.
The one-game tiebreaker will be Monday at Dodger Stadium, and the loser goes to the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee for Tuesday’s wild-card game. Colorado (91-71), is trying for its first division title.
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Nolan Arenado hit two of the Rockies’ five homers and took over the National League lead with 37, one more than teammate Trevor Story — who also went deep. David Dahl homered for the sixth time in seven games.
Blackmon finished off his first career cycle and the ninth in Rockies history with a double in the eighth. He tripled in the first, homered in the third, singled in the fifth and struck out in the sixth.
“Charlie is a really hard worker and we understand how much work he puts in,” Carlos Gonzalez said. “When he does something special on the field, we all feel really proud.”
Tyler Anderson (7-9) didn’t look the least bit bothered by a sore shoulder that sidelined him for about a week. He scattered four hits over 7 2/3 innings for his first win since July 4.
“He was efficient. He was throwing strikes in good spots. That’s the type of game when he’s on that he can throw,” Rockies manager Bud Black said.
The Nationals opted to start Erick Fedde (2-4) instead of NL Cy Young Award candidate Max Scherzer. Fedde lasted four innings and gave up four runs in place of Scherzer, who wound up with an MLB-best 300 strikeouts.
The Nationals (82-80) finished with a winning record for a seventh straight season.
“The last two months have been fun. I enjoyed it,” said Dave Martinez, who replaced Dusty Baker as manager last offseason. “Unfortunately my first year as manager is over and I’m looking forward to seeing my family.”
Soon-to-be free agent Bryce Harper doubled in potentially his final at-bat in a Nationals uniform. He was 2 for 4 with two doubles.
“Nobody knows if I’m going to be back or nobody knows if I am going to be in a different uniform,” said the 2015 NL MVP, who turns 26 next month. “If something happens, I am not afraid of change.”
Asked if Harper remains in the team’s plans, general manager Mike Rizzo said: “Of course he is in our plans. He’s a guy that we would love to have.”
The Nationals open the 2019 season on March 28 against the New York Mets at Nationals Park.
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