Final
Rockies open set with Braves aiming to finish homestand strong
Jun 9, 2014 - 3:00 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Colorado Rockies have their work cut out for them if they want to break even on their 10-game homestand. They'll try to avoid a sixth loss in seven games on the swing Monday evening as they kick off a four- game series with the Atlanta Braves.The Rockies have lost nine of 10 and 13 of their last 16 contests to fall four games under .500. At 1-5, they'll need to sweep the Braves to finish the stay at Coors Field at the even mark.
Colorado halted an eight-game slide with Saturday's win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, but dropped the finale of the series 6-1 in six innings on Sunday.
The Rockies were limited to one run on three hits -- one a solo homer by Troy Tulowitzki -- over five innings by the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw before a delay after the top of the sixth inning ended the contest early.
"He's always tough. He's one of the best pitchers in the league," Colorado second baseman Josh Rutledge said of Kershaw.
Jorge De La Rosa was tagged for five runs on four hits and four walks with eight strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings in the setback.
Right-hander Christian Bergman will try to get the Rockies off to a good start in this series as he makes his Major League debut tonight.
A 24th-round pick in 2010, Bergman has been solid over four-plus seasons in the minor leagues, where he has a career 3.60 earned run average in 95 games with 86 starts. He is 4-4 with a 3.84 ERA in 12 starts this season with Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Bergman, 26, will become the fourth Rockie to make his Major League debut this season and second pitcher following Eddie Butler's debut on Friday.
"Part of it is knowing who I am as a pitcher and going with my strengths," Bergman told Colorado's website. "Part of it is not being intimidated by the fact that it's 6,000 feet or whatever it is. There are some things that are different about it, but for me it's about making adjustments and turning things that are a little different into strengths for me."
The Braves counter with 31-year-old Gavin Floyd, who is coming off one of his rougher starts since his return from Tommy John surgery.
Floyd faced Seattle on Tuesday and did not get a decision as he allowed five runs -- three earned -- on 10 hits and a walk over five innings. Atlanta lost the contest 7-5.
The righty is 0-2 with a 2.80 ERA in six starts on the year, with the Braves splitting those contests.
Floyd is 0-1 lifetime versus the Rockies with a 5.40 ERA in four meetings.
Atlanta has lost four of its past five games and dropped Sunday's rubber match of a three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, 6-5.
Justin Upton hit a two-run homer to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead, but the Diamondbacks notched six runs in the seventh frame to go ahead. Freddie Freeman then hit a solo homer as part of a two-run eighth frame and Ramiro Pena led off the ninth inning with a home run, but the Braves couldn't complete the rally.
Aaron Harang was touched for three runs on four hits with six walks and four strikeouts over six-plus innings.
"They just wore me out eventually," said Harang. "I had to make a lot of pitches in those first couple of innings and it just got to me."
The Braves won two of three over the Rockies at home from May 23-25 and have won 15 of the last 18 meetings overall.
- ATLANTA: 3
COLORADO: 1
Final
Jun 9 11:37 PM - Chris Johnson singled to center scored Justin Upton with none out. On the play, Evan Gattis advances to second. Runners on first and second and Tommy LaStella due up.
Braves 3, Rockies 1 Top 8, 0 OutsJun 9 11:05 PM - Chris Johnson singles to center field. Evan Gattis to second. Justin Upton scores.
Braves 3, Rockies 1 Top 8, 0 OutsJun 9 11:03 PM - Corey Dickerson lead-off Home Run (8) to left center. Michael McKenry due up.
Braves 2, Rockies 1 Bot 7, 0 OutsJun 9 10:44 PM - Chris Johnson singled to center scored Freddie Freeman with two outs. Runner on first and Tommy LaStella due up.
Braves 2, Rockies 0 Top 4, 2 OutsJun 9 9:46 PM - Evan Gattis grounded out third to first scored B.J. Upton with two outs. On the play, Freddie Freeman advances to second. Runner on second and Chris Johnson due up.
Braves 1, Rockies 0 Top 4, 2 OutsJun 9 9:45 PM - Chris Johnson singles to center field. Freddie Freeman scores.
Braves 2, Rockies 0 Top 4, 2 OutsJun 9 9:43 PM - Evan Gattis grounds out to shallow infield, Charlie Culberson to Justin Morneau. Freddie Freeman to second. B.J. Upton scores.
Braves 1, Rockies 0 Top 4, 1 OutJun 9 9:42 PM - ATLANTA: 0
COLORADO: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jun 9 8:43 PM - Jason Heyward singles to center field.
Jun 9 8:42 PM
Related News
- 2023 Braves Season in Review: Raisel Iglesias Dec 26
- This Day in Braves History: Phil Niekro passes away Dec 26
- Tuesday Rockpile: What did the Rockies get in trading for Cal Quantrill? Dec 26
- Christmas Day open thread Dec 25
- Monday Rockpile: What’s under the tree for Rockies’ fans this Christmas? Dec 25
- This Day in MLB History: December 25 Dec 25
- Christmas Eve open thread Dec 24
- This Day in Braves History: Milwaukee signs Rico Carty Dec 24
- This Day in Braves History: Milwaukee signs Rico Carey Dec 24
- Braves News: Holiday pause, season reviews, more Dec 24
- 2023 Minor league season in review: Luis De Avila Dec 23
- 2023 Braves Season in Review: Ozzie Albies Dec 23