Colorado @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 6, 2012 ) Colorado 5, Washington 1

The Colorado Rockies’ four-man, pitch-limit rotation has not provided immediate dividends, but it has worked consistently well when Jeff Francis pitches. The Rockies will try to win their sixth straight game when Francis starts as they visit the Washington Nationals on Saturday. Colorado is 7-11 since June 19 when they began using only four starters, who have been limited to about 75 pitches by manager Jim Tracy.

Francis is 2-0 in four starts since June 19, including a no-decision in the Rockies’ 3-2 victory over the Nationals on June 25. Washington counters with Gio Gonzalez, who has won his last three starts, including a 12-5 victory at Colorado on June 26. Gonzalez will try to join the Mets’ R.A. Dickey as the only 12-game winners in baseball.

The Rockies, who won the series opener 5-1 on Friday, continue to ride the hot bat of Tyler Colvin. The outfielder-first baseman homered twice Friday and has five homers and 10 RBIs in his last five games. Colorado is 11-3 in its last 14 games at Washington.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Colorado), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Jeff Francis (2-1, 5.16 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (11-3, 3.01)

Francis allowed two runs and five hits in five innings in his last start, a 3-2 victory at St. Louis on Tuesday, and has allowed two or less runs in each of his last four outings. The Nationals’ roster is hitting a robust .364 against Francis, with Ryan Zimmerman 9-for-18 with a homer and four RBIs. Chad Tracy and Jayson Werth are a combined 14-for-31 with three homers and five RBIs against the southpaw, but both men are on the disabled list.

Gonzalez has received 25 runs of offense in his last three outings while yielding 11 runs (10 earned) in 17 innings over that span. He has allowed three homers in his last two starts after not yielding one in his previous six outings. The Rockies’ roster is hitting .313 against Gonzalez, with Michael Cuddyer (5-for-12, homer, three RBIs) doing the most damage.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado has lost seven straight road series and is 1-11-1 in 13 series away from home this season.

2. Colvin is 29-for-78 (.372) with 10 homers, 27 RBIs and 15 runs scored since June 9. He has 40 RBIs in 180 at-bats this season.

3. Zimmerman homered Friday and has five in his last 12 games.