Atlanta Braves offense disappears in 8-2 loss to Rockies

The good news? The Atlanta Braves have scored 15 runs in the last two games. The bad news? 13 of those runs were scored last night, as the Colorado Rockies, behind the first ever big league start from Tyler Matzek, kept Atlanta to just two runs, and took the third game of the four game midweek series by an 8-2 final score.

For the aforementioned Matzek, it was a debut to remember, as he went a full seven innings, allowing just five hits and two runs (both earned) and struck out seven, throwing just 81 pitches with 60 of them for strikes. At the beginning of the sixth inning, Matzek had thrown only 55 pitches and had struck out five batters, and went perfect in six of his innings. Offensively for Colorado, several guys had big nights, but the highlight bat was in the form of Drew Stubbs, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.

For the Braves, it was Julio Teheran who took the loss, as his struggles within his first 25 pitches seemed to continue, as he gave up three first inning runs which put the Braves in a hole from the get go. Teheran was able to settle down, and stayed in the game into the seventh inning regardless of allowing seven runs on ten hits (while also striking out five). The Atlanta offense, as mentioned earlier, was unable to get anything going until the eighth inning with Matzek still in, as Andrelton Simmons singled home Chris Johnson, and a couple batters later, B.J. Upton brought home Tommy La Stella on an infield single. Speaking of Johnson, he has heated up as of late, as he has eight hits since the Rockies series began, and had a 2-for-4 night tonight.

Plain and simple, the Braves were impatient at the plate, wanting to feast off a rookie making his debut, but Matzek pitched too well and kept the Braves at bay. The Bravos will look to get back to their winning ways tomorrow in a 3:10 afternoon start, as Ervin Santana will take the bump, and square off against the winless Jhoulys Chacin to close out the series in the Mile High City.