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Braves, Rockies looking for offensive punch

Apr 9, 2008 - 2:07 PM Atlanta (3-5) at Colorado (3-5) 8:35 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) - After a quick start, the Atlanta Braves' offense has cooled off. The Colorado Rockies bats have yet to get going at all.

Two teams searching for consistent offense meet on Wednesday when the Braves and Rockies face off in the third of a four-game set.

Atlanta's offense appeared to be in fine form during a four-game stretch last week when it accumulated 35 runs over a four-game period.

However, the Braves have been limited to seven runs over the last three contests.

The club has scored just four runs during two straight losses to Colorado, which is averaging just two runs this season after finishing second in the National League with 860 runs in 2007.

All five Braves' losses have come by just one run, including Tuesday's 4-3 setback against the Rockies.

Matt Holliday, who is hitting .438 (7-for-16) with two homers, two doubles and five RBI over his last four games, had three hits and two RBI for Colorado.

He'll get a chance to continue that torrid stretch against Chuck James, who went 11-10 with a 4.24 ERA in 2007.

The lefthander will be making his first start of the year after starting the season on the disabled list to recover from a torn rotator cuff.

The Rockies will counter with Mark Redman (0-1, 6.35 ERA), who will face the team that employed him at the beginning of last season.

The lefthander's first start of the season did not go well as he surrendered five runs - four earned - nine hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings in an 8-1 loss to Arizona.