DENVER (AP) — Yohan Flande pitched seven strong innings and singled twice, driving in a run and scoring a run to lead the Colorado Rockies to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday night.

Outpitching Washington’s Max Scherzer, Flande (3-1) allowed two runs and three hits to help the Rockies avoid a series sweep.

Ben Paulsen singled in the seventh to drive in the tiebreaking run and Jose Reyes added three hits, including an RBI double for the Rockies.

Washington’s Michael A. Taylor connected for his 11th homer, a two-run drive in the seventh.

Scherzer (11-10) allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings and fell to 0-3 in four career starts at Coors Field.

John Axford struck out the side in the ninth around a leadoff single by Bryce Harper and a walk to Ryan Zimmerman for his 17th save.