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Rockies-Braves Preview

May 20, 2009 - 3:57 AM By JUSTIN EINHORN STATS Senior Editor

Colorado (15-22) at Atlanta (18-19), 7:10 p.m. EDT

One day after manager Bobby Cox did some major tweaking to the Atlanta Braves lineup, it would be hard to imagine him changing much Wednesday night.

Coming off a sorely needed offensive outburst at Turner Field, the Braves seek back-to-back home wins for the first time since the opening week of the season as their series with the Colorado Rockies continues.

Atlanta entered Tuesday having totaled one run in its previous two games, part of a 3-11 slump at Turner Field during which the team was held to 2.8 runs per game.

Those offensive woes prompted Cox to switch up the batting order, and the result was an 8-1 win over Colorado. The Braves (19-19) matched their highest run total of the season at Turner Field and recorded their most hits there since the home opener.

Yunel Escobar, batting .370 (10-for-27) in his last seven games, was moved up one spot to leadoff in place of Kelly Johnson, who was dropped to sixth and had three hits following two straight 0-for-4 performances.

"I think that when you put up eight runs, whatever the lineup is after we haven't scored any runs," Johnson said, "I think we should stick with it."

Casey Kotchman had batted no higher than cleanup until being No. 2 in the lineup Tuesday and he ended an 0-for-11 slump with three hits and three RBIs. He had batted .259 (14-for-54) with two RBIs in his first 17 home games.

"I'm just happy to have a costume on, so wherever you can be in the lineup, just try to contribute when you get the chance," Kotchman said.

Brian McCann was back in the cleanup spot after making his last four starts from the No. 5 hole, driving in a run for the first time in five games.

The Braves, though, have not won consecutive home games since sweeping a three-game set from Washington in their first series of the season at Turner Field.

They may have trouble putting together another big game offensively Tuesday as they face Jorge De La Rosa (0-3, 3.16 ERA).

In his last two starts, De La Rosa has given up three runs in 15 innings with one walk and 22 strikeouts, but he remains winless mainly because his average of 2.74 runs of support is among the lowest in the majors.

"I've learned more, I control myself," De La Rosa told the Rockies' official Web site. "Nothing bothers me when I'm out there."

He'll be opposed by Javier Vazquez (3-3, 3.71), who is 0-3 in four starts at Turner this season. However, he pitched well at home Friday, allowing two runs in seven innings of a 4-3 victory over Arizona on Friday.

The right-hander has walked two and struck out 17 in his last two starts, and he is tied for third in the majors with 67 strikeouts.

Vazquez, who hasn't faced Colorado since 2004 when he was with the New York Yankees, is 2-0 with a 2.20 ERA in his last three starts versus the Rockies (15-23).

Colorado's Todd Helton, who is 6 for 18 with two homers against Vazquez, became the 255th player to reach 2,000 hits Tuesday.

That was one of the few bright spots for a Colorado team which has lost eight of 12. The Rockies have been held to 20 runs in their last six games while batting .207.