The Braves' Struggles Continue in Denver
The Atlanta Braves' free fall out of playoff position continued in their series opener against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night at Coors Field. The Rockies handed the Braves a 6-5 defeat, extending their losing streak to six games.
The Braves' pitching staff, once a strength, has become a major source of concern. After surrendering 24 runs in three games against the Brewers earlier in the week, the Braves failed to rebound against the Rockies. Starter Grant Holmes gave up five earned runs in five innings, and reliever A.J. Minter gave up back-to-back doubles in the seventh inning after the Braves had tied the game, resulting in his fourth loss of the season.
The Braves' offense, while showing some flashes of resilience, couldn't overcome the pitching struggles. They erased a four-run deficit thanks to home runs from Marcell Ozuna, Jorge Soler and Ramon Laureano, but ultimately fell short. The game was tied 5-5 after seven innings, but the Rockies scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
A Look at the Key Moments
The Rockies' Offensive Outburst
The Rockies, who have the worst winning percentage and run differential in the National League, outplayed the Braves for much of the game. They built a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning before extending their lead again in the seventh inning on Ryan McMahon's RBI double.
Holmes Struggles in His Third Career Start
In a matchup between young starting pitchers with fewer than five career starts, Colorado's Tanner Gordon succeeded in limiting the Braves' bats, while Holmes struggled, forcing the Braves' lineup into catch-up mode.
Holmes faltered in the third and fourth innings and surrendered five earned runs to Gordon's two. Although both starters lasted five innings and surrendered six hits and a home run, as well as posting nearly identical strikeout totals, Holmes couldn't overcome his mediocre outing.
A Brief Spark of Hope
The Braves showed signs of life in the seventh inning, when Laureano hit a solo home run and Soler followed with a two-run shot, tying the game at 5-5. However, the lead was short-lived. Minter allowed consecutive doubles to Doyle and McMahon in the bottom of the seventh, giving the Rockies a 6-5 lead that they held onto.
Looking Ahead
The Braves, who have been outscored by 31 runs during their six-game losing streak, need to find a way to turn things around quickly. They have a crucial series against the Rockies, followed by a 10-game road trip that will determine their playoff hopes. The pitching staff needs to regain its form, and the offense needs to find more consistency.
Max Fried, the Braves' ace, will start on Saturday, hoping to lead the team to a much-needed victory. The Braves need to find a way to turn the tide and make a push for the playoffs, but they face an uphill battle after this recent stretch of struggles. The next few games will be critical for the Braves' season.
A Challenging Road Ahead
The Braves have a tough road ahead, with a series against the Rockies, followed by a 10-game road trip that will test their mettle. They'll need to overcome their recent struggles and regain their form to stay in the playoff race. As the race for the playoffs heats up, the Braves must find a way to regain their winning ways. The next few weeks will be a defining period for the team as they aim to defend their NL East crown and extend their dominant run in the division. The question remains: will the Braves be able to turn things around and make a run for the playoffs?
