For the first time in club history, the Colorado Rockies will make back-to-back postseason appearances.

The Rockies booked a ticket to the playoffs with a 5-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night, their eighth win in a row.

Colorado lost in the National League wild-card game against the Diamondbacks last year, but will be hoping for a better result either in that game or in the NLDS. The Rockies have never won their division in their 25-year history. They have a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, who beat the San Francisco Giants 3-1 Friday.

“This is just the first step,” veteran Carlos Gonzalez said of clinching a playoff spot.

“We understand we have a big chance in front of us.”

Pitching has of course always been an issue for the Rockies playing at Coors Field and while the team does ranks near the bottom of the NL in ERA, it’s one of the best marks in the club’s 26 seasons.Lefty Kyle Freeland has been dominant with a 2.85 ERA, finishing just behind the 2.80 ERA for Marvin Freeman in 1994 for the club record.

Friday night Freeland, who grew up a Rockies fan in Denver, went six innings while giving up 11 hits but just two earned runs.

“It’s just incredible,” Freeland said. “I dreamt of this as a little kid and never thought I’d be in this position to do it. But the work is not done.”

Freeland was backed by David Dahl, who homered for the fifth consecutive game, and Ian Desmond, who hit a two-run homer against his former team. Charlie Blackmon and Chris Iannetta also added solo home runs.

The Rockies' eight-game winning streak is their longest since they also won eight straight in April 2013.

Third baseman Nolan Arenado has been terrific as per usual, putting together his fifth consecutive season with at least 30 homers and 100 RBI. Shortstop Trevor Story was an All-Star and bounced back from a disappointing 2017 season with 35 homers and 105 RBI, to go with 26 steals.

The Rockies upgraded the bullpen over the winter, signing Wade Davis and Bryan Shaw. While Davis has set a career-high in saves this year (now at 43 after Friday), Shaw has struggled with an ERA above six.

Prior to last season’s trip to the NL wild-card game, manager Bud Black had never taken a team to the postseason. He had spent nine seasons as the skipper of the San Diego Padres from 2007-2015.

Contributing: Associated Press