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Rockies look for offensive breakthrough vs. Braves

Apr 7, 2008 - 1:36 PM Atlanta (3-3) at Colorado (1-5) 8:35 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) - The Colorado Rockies aim to snap out of an early season funk on Monday as they host the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a four-game series.

Colorado, which made a surprising run through the National League en route to its first ever World Series appearance last season, has lost five straight while scoring the fewest runs in the league.

The Rockies have managed just 10 runs through six games, and their offensive shortcomings were magnified on Sunday.

Franklin Morales threw six strong innings, but the Rockies again struggled offensively in a 5-2 loss in 10 innings. Matt Holliday, who is hitting just .182 (4-for-22), smashed a game-tying solo homer in the ninth, but Arizona struck for three runs in the 10th.

Colorado scored just five runs, and finished the series just 2-for-26 with runners in scoring position. It is more than a little puzzling, since the Rockies scored 860 runs last season - good for second in the NL.

"I hope this is the worst it gets," said shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who snapped out of an 0-for-18 skid with two hits on Sunday.

It could get much worse for Holliday, as he is just 2-for-14 vs. Atlanta starter Tom Glavine (0-0, 1.80). The lefthander began his second stint with Atlanta on Monday, allowing two runs - one earned - and seven hits in five innings while not factoring in the decision against Pittsburgh.

Unlike the Rockies, the Braves are having no trouble scoring. Atlanta is tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for the most runs (40) in baseball. Mark Teixeira homered and John Smoltz threw five solid innings as Atlanta posted a 3-1 win over the New York Mets on Sunday.

Aaron Cook (0-1, 6.00) will be responsible for slowing the potent Braves' offense. The righthander allowed four runs and six hits in six innings of a 8-3 loss to St. Louis on Wednesday.