The Atlanta Braves lost consecutive games for the first time in nearly a month and their offense struggled in a 3-2 loss on Wednesday night to the Colorado Rockies.
The team had plenty of chances to score, but they failed to capitalize on multiple occasions. Atlanta had three runners in scoring position with no outs at various times in the first five innings and failed to plate any of them, and David Ross missed a 2-run homer by about two feet. These things, along with very questionable decision making in the ninth inning, cost the Braves a game in the standings.
Tim Hudson pitched well outside of the first inning. He gave up a home run to Todd Helton on the first pitch he threw to the veteran first baseman, but allowed just four base runners afterwards. Huddy ended up tossing seven innings and allowed just five hits and one walk. He struck out five.
Juan Nicasio, who failed to make it past the fourth inning in his previous start against Atlanta, dominated for seven innings and allowed just one run on five hits and a walk. He struck out seven, though the Braves hitters were overmatched most of the evening.
With the score 2-1 in the eighth, Dan Uggla came to the plate with Jordan Schafer on first. Schafer stole second to move into scoring position and Uggla ripped a line drive up the middle to tie the score. After Jason Heyward reached on catcher's interference, Alex Gonzalez had the chance to be the hero, but he grounded out weakly to third.
The two teams exchanged scoreless innings until the ninth. Eric O'Flaherty quickly retired the first two batters of the inning to bring up Dexter Fowler. The outfielder hit a ground ball to third baseman Martin Prado, and Prado, who is usually steady-handed at the hot corner, had the ball go between his legs for a two-base error. Ty Wigginton was intentionally walked to bring up Carlos Gonzalez. CarGo lined the first pitch he saw into right field and Fowler scored to win the game.
The Braves will go for a series split Thursday afternoon at 3:10EDT. It'll be Tommy Hanson against Jhoulys Chacin.