Rockies win in walk-off after bases-loaded pitch-clock violation - ESPN

DENVER — Ryan McMahon drew a bases-loaded walk on a full-count, pitch-clock violation by Kyle Finnegan as the Colorado Rockies scored two runs in the ninth inning for an 8-7 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday night.

It was the first game decided by a pitch-clock violation in major league history. Nationals closer Finnegan leads the league with nine pitch-clock violations this season.

«I'm just trying to focus on the pitch and then location,» Finnegan said. «I thought I picked up the clock. I guess by the time I picked up and looked at the catcher and delivered the pitch, I was just a hair too late. Those situations, it just can't happen. We deserved to win, and I wasn't able to do my job.»

Colorado had four straight singles to open the ninth off Finnegan (2-4) to bring up McMahon, who fell behind 0-2. Hunter Goodman and Jake Cave singled to open the inning, and Brenton Doyle singled to tie it after fouling off two bunt attempts. Ezequiel Tovar hit a line single to right to load the bases. Finnegan had converted 21 of his previous 23 save chances.

«You hate to see a game decided that way, but I'm happy it worked out in our favor,» McMahon said. «I'm never looking [at the clock]. I'm letting the umpire do his job. I didn't know what was going on until the umpire said something.»

The pitch clock was adopted in 2023, but the time between pitches with runners on base was shortened from 20 seconds to 18 this season.

«Kyle has had some trouble lately with the clock,» Washington manager Dave Martinez said. «It hadn't really cost him to that point, but it's something that we've kind of felt like might come back to haunt him at some point. He could have stepped off, but it's a tough situation.

»That's something that