"Maybe Rockies manager Jim Tracy shouldn't have pulled his starting pitcher. Maybe closer Matt Reynolds shouldn't have thrown a curveball.

Whatever the case, Washington Nationals outfielder Rick Ankiel made Colorado pay with his momentum-sealing solo shot over the right-field fence Sunday to help give his team something to feel good about heading into the All-Star break.

The pinch-hit homer also kept the good vibes flowing for Ankiel, who has been on fire since his July 1 return from a strained rib cage that kept him on the DL for 14 games. Before the Rockies series, Ankiel had a hit in each of his six games since being activated, notching a .571 average with one home run and one RBI in that span. He then went 0-for-4 in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Rockies, but he followed that up with an RBI in the Nats' 2-1 loss Saturday night.

With one out in the eighth inning Sunday, Ankiel struck again."