Dickerson has a signature start for Rockies

WASHINGTON -- There was a signed baseball sitting in the locker of Colorado outfielder Corey Dickerson after the Rockies beat the Washington Nationals, 7-1, on Saturday.

The ball was from his first hit in the major leagues, a run-scoring double in the first inning, after the Mississippi native was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday.

In his first big league game, he doubled in his first two at bats and finished 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and scored a run.

"It was really exciting," Dickerson said. "It was a great experience. I will put (the ball) up (in safe keeping) and always remember it.

Said Colorado manager Walt Weiss: "He takes good swings. He is a really good-looking offensive player. It is fun to watch."

DJ LeMahieu added three hits, including a home run, as the Rockies (38-38) broke a five-game losing streak, scoring three runs in the first inning and three more in the fourth against Washington starter Dan Haren (4-9).

"DJ is taking a lot of good swings," Weiss said. "He looks really good right now."

Did it bother Haren to hear boos from some Nationals' fans when he left in the fourth?

"Of course, no one wants to be booed," said Haren, who gave up his league-leading 19th home run and saw his earned-run average rise to 6.15. "I am not doing well."

Nolan Arenado also hit a home run for the Rockies, a solo shot that made it 7-0 in the eighth.

The Nationals (37-37) had only five hits and no runs in seven innings against Colorado starter Jhoulys Chacin (6-3), who took a shutout into the ninth inning in his previous start against the Phillies.

"It was really my sinker (that was key)," Chacin said. "We started really good with three runs in the first."

Added Weiss: "Another great outing by Chacin. He was really in control of the game. We have had some real good starts (recently)."

Washington had its three-game winning streak come to an end.

Matt Belisle came on to pitch a scoreless eighth for the Rockies, who had hits from everyone in the starting lineup, before Wilton Lopez pitched the ninth and gave up a solo home run to Ryan Zimmerman while finishing off the victory.

Colorado added to its lead in the fourth when Wilin Rosario led off with a single and took third on a double by rookie Dickerson. Rosario scored on a wild pitch by Haren to make it 4-0 and pitcher Chacin singled home Dickerson.

That was the end of the day for Haren, who was replaced by Ross Ohlendorf. LeMahieu singled in a run against Ohlendorf to make it 6-0, although the run was charged to Haren.

The Rockies scored three in the first on a solo home run by LeMahieu, a run-scoring single by Virginia native Michael Cuddyer and an RBI double by Dickerson in his first at bat in the majors.

Cuddyer's hit extended his career-high hitting streak to 20 games as he reached base for the 39th game in a row.

"We were able to jump out early; We had a good first inning," Cuddyer said. "That was key for us."

Haren allowed six runs and seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks in 3 1/3 innings. Washington manager Davey Johnson said before the game Haren sometimes overthrows.

"That is when he gets in trouble," Johnson said.

NOTES: Corey Dickerson was called up Friday from Triple-A Colorado Springs, where he hit .563 in his last 13 games before coming to Washington. The Mississippi native was hitting .386 with an OPS of 1.075 at Colorado Springs. ... Washington right fielder Jayson Werth was not in the starting lineup, as Roger Bernadina got the start in right field. Werth was hitless in seven at-bats in the first two games of the series, with five strikeouts. He came off the disabled list June 4 after recovering from a right hamstring injury. ... Ian Desmond of Washington began the day with 32 extra-base hits, the most of any shortstop, and he led shortstops with nine game-winning RBIs. Nine of his 12 home runs this year put the Nationals ahead. He hit a home run in his third game in a row on Friday to give Washington a 2-1 victory. ... The early 12:05 p.m. start was to accommodate the annual Dream Gala for the Nationals, as the team raises money for worthy causes.