Five-run third inning seals 6-3 win for Atlanta Braves over Colorado Rockies – MLB Update
The Atlanta Braves took an early lead to convincingly defeat the Colorado Rockies 6-3 at the Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, July 7.
The Braves added five runs in the third inning of the game to pose immense pressure on the Rockies. Colorado failed to recover from this setback and could not build on the hard work they had put early in the game.
Jason Giambi helped the Rockies to open their account with his double to deep left allowing Jonathan Herrera to score. Ty Wigginton scored in the third inning to establish a two-run lead over the Braves.
The Braves replied with valour, as they took charge in the third inning which proved to be enough for them to dominate the game. Jordan Schafer’s run rolled the scoring for the Braves. Freddie Freeman then displayed his arm power when he unleashed his 13th
home-run of the season. It was a three-run homer allowing Alex Gonzalez and Chipper Jones to complete their runs and turn the deficit into a solid two-run lead. Dan Uggla added the fifth run of the inning and game for the Braves to increase the lead to three
with the score at 5-2.
Juan Nicasio, the Rockies’ starter, was changed after this lacklustre performance. He went for seven hits and five runs in 2.1 innings. To his pity, he also committed five errors and allowed three walks in a performance that stole the game from the Rockies.
Nicasio was replaced by Eric Stults who pitched for the next 3.1 innings. He managed to halt the rate of scoring with just a single home-run being scored by Jason Heyward. Matt Reynolds and Rafael Betancourt then safely saw the Rockies off but the real damage
had already been inflicted.
The Braves put on a decent pitching show in contrast. Tim Hudson was impressive as he did not leak easy runs in the 7.1 innings that he pitched. All three runs coming off him were hard earned. Jason Giambi had to assist the first two runs before Mark Ellis
stepped to score the third in the eighth inning. Hudson ended with his eighth win of the season. Mark’s effort came a bit too late in the day as the five-run third inning damage had already silenced the Rockies’ bull-pen.
Jonny Venters supported Hudson brilliantly to hold his 19th game of the season before Craig Kimbrel’s closing effort earned him his 27th save of the season.
Atlanta swept the four-game series against the Rockies. They now have an excellent season record of 53-36.
The Rockies had an excellent chance to improve their record in this series with the likes of Giambi in their bull-pen but they did not cash in and are now trailing at 41-47.
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