Christian Friedrich struggles in loss vs. Nationals

Rockies pitcher Christian Friedrich took a loss Tuesday after giving up five earned runs on five hits and four walks in just 3 1/3 innings and striking out three in his team's 7-1 defeat against the Nationals.

Friedrich (0-3) gave up three runs in the first inning, and the Nationals were able to score four more in the fourth, with two of those runs getting charged to the starter. His outings have gotten progressively worse, and he's lost all three of his starts with the major-league club. Friedrich owns a 9.45 ERA and 14:8 K:BB ratio in 13 1/3 innings. He's scheduled to face the Dodgers Sunday.