Final
Braves head to Colorado to take on Rockies
Jul 18, 2011 - 2:53 PMVideo
The Braves are 3 1/2 games behind Philadelphia for the NL East lead and took two of three meetings versus Washington over the weekend at Turner Field. They held on for an 8-7 win on Sunday thanks to a game-winning RBI single from Freddie Freeman. Brian McCann belted a three-run homer during a five-run fifth inning and Nate McLouth added a solo shot in a winning effort. Dan Uggla extended his season-high hitting streak to nine games with a 1-for-3 effort.
Jair Jurrjens started for Atlanta and did not record a decision after he yielded a season-high six runs and eight hits over five innings. Rookie and All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel was the winner with a scoreless ninth.
"It seemed like it was the offense's day," said Jurrjens.
Atlanta will also visit Cincinnati for three games on this road trip and has won 17 of its last 23 games.
The Braves hope Derek Lowe can turn things around when he takes the mound tonight. Since starting the season 3-3 with a 3.22 earned run average in his first eight starts, Lowe is 2-4 with a 5.00 ERA in his last 12.
Lowe did not survive a 14-1 loss at Philadelphia on July 10, as he was reached for four runs and 10 hits in six innings. He was coming off back-to-back wins and is now 5-7 in 20 starts with a 4.30 ERA. Lowe, who is 3-6 in 12 road outings this season, defeated Colorado on July 5 in a 5-3 triumph at Turner Field. He allowed three runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.
The right-hander has made 21 career starts against the Rockies, going 10-8 with a 4.40 ERA over 122 2/3 innings in that span.
Colorado just split a four-game home set with Milwaukee and lost the last two installments, including Sunday's 4-3 setback. Jason Giambi homered and both Seth Smith and Ty Wigginton ended with two hits and an RBI for Colorado, which had won two straight and four of five games before its two-game slide.
"We're in every game," Giambi said after Colorado's eighth loss in 12 tries. "I mean we're not getting blown out, just unfortunately, we're not getting that big hit or that big pitch to give us the win or at least tie the game."
Rockies starter Aaron Cook remained winless (0-5) on the season after allowing three runs on eight hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings.
Jason Hammel is set to make his 19th start of the season tonight for Colorado and has won just two of his previous nine decisions. Hammel was 0-2 in three starts before topping Washington on the road July 8 with 6 1/3 innings of two- run ball. He pushed his 2011 record to 5-8 in 18 starts and lowered his ERA to 4.23.
The right-hander and former Tampa Bay draft pick is only 3-6 in 10 home starts this season and will be appearing in his fifth career start against Atlanta. Hammel is 0-2 with a lofty 9.53 ERA in the first four starts in this series.
Atlanta swept a four-game series versus Colorado from July 4-7, but the Rockies have won four in a row in this series as the host.
- ATLANTA: 7
COLORADO: 4
Final
Jul 18 11:31 PM - Troy Tulowitzki singled to center scored Carlos Gonzalez. On the play, Mark Ellis advances to third. Runners on first and third with two outs and Seth Smith due up.
Braves 7, Rockies 4 Bot 7, 2 OutsJul 18 10:48 PM - Todd Helton sacrifice fly out to center scored Ryan Spilborghs. Runners on first and second and with two outs and Troy Tulowitzki due up.
Braves 7, Rockies 3 Bot 7, 2 OutsJul 18 10:47 PM - Mark Ellis singled to right. On the play, Carlos Gonzalez advances to second and Ryan Spilborghs advances to third. Bases loaded with one out and Todd Helton due up.
Braves 7, Rockies 2 Bot 7, 1 OutJul 18 10:44 PM - Freddie Freeman grounded into a fielder's choice, second to short scored Derek Lowe. Brian McCann out at second. Martin Prado advances to third. Runners on first and third with two outs and Dan Uggla due up.
Braves 7, Rockies 1 Top 6, 2 OutsJul 18 10:17 PM - Alex Gonzalez singled to left scored Eric Hinske. Runner on first with two outs and Nate McLouth due up.
Braves 6, Rockies 1 Top 5, 2 OutsJul 18 9:59 PM - Todd Helton singled to center scored Carlos Gonzalez. Runner on first with two outs and Troy Tulowitzki due up.
Braves 5, Rockies 1 Bot 3, 2 OutsJul 18 9:31 PM - Eric Hinske two-out, solo Home Run (9) to right. Alex Gonzalez due up.
Braves 5, Rockies 0 Top 3, 2 OutsJul 18 9:22 PM - Freddie Freeman one-out, two-run Home Run (14) to center scored Brian McCann. Dan Uggla due up.
Braves 4, Rockies 0 Top 3, 1 OutJul 18 9:19 PM - Derek Lowe reached first on Todd Helton's missed catch error scored Freddie Freeman and Dan Uggla. On the play, Nate McLouth advances to third. Runners on first and third with two outs and Jordan Schafer due up.
Braves 2, Rockies 0 Top 2, 2 OutsJul 18 9:05 PM - ATLANTA: 0
COLORADO: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jul 18 8:42 PM
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