Atlanta Braves Swept By Rockies

The Atlanta Braves continued to struggle at Coors Field falling to the Rockies for the fourth time and being swept in the series.

The First Five

The Braves moved Tyrell Jenkins to the bullpen at Gwinnett because in spite of his low ERA, he walked too many people. Today we saw that tendency manifest itself early in the game resulting in an early exit and another loss for the young righty.

Jenkins first inning was a disaster as he walked three players – one of them the opposing pitcher – and the Rockies batted around in the bottom of the first. Mixed in with those walks was a Charlie Blackmon single and stolen base, a Nolan Arenado two run homer, a Trevor Story double and a Randy Hundley single and the Rockies headed for the top of the second leading 4-0.

More from Tomahawk Take

Jenkins counterpart Tyler Chatwood had even more problems with the strike zone. He gave up two walks and a single in the first and two more in the second but the Braves failed to score.

Both pitchers continued to walk hitters and Chatwood tied his career high in walks with his sixth in the top of the fourth. The good news is Jenkins didn’t walk anyone in the fourth. The bad news is that it was a lot worse than that.

LeMahieu opened the home fourth by taking a 2-0 pitch into the bullpen extending the Rockies’ lead to 5-0. Arenado followed that with a fly ball to dead center that Ender Inciarte lost in the sun and Arenado ended up on second.

Carlos Gonzalez struck out but Story who had punished the Braves nonstop in the first three games struck again launching a two run shot into the left field seats to give the Rockies a 7-0 and ending Jenkins day. Jose De Le Cruz entered and put out the fire.

On the day Jenkins threw 87 pitches – 45 for strikes – 3 1/3 innings, gave up seven runs – all earned – on eight hits, walking five and striking out two.

Trevor Story has 4 HR in 13 AB during this series.
The Braves have 5 HR in their past 306 AB at Coors Field, dating back to 6/11/14
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 24, 2016

Meanwhile Chatwood continued his walk-an-inning ways issuing a free pass to Jace Peterson leading off the fifth and after Chase d’Arnaud hit a soft fly to right and Freddie Freeman struck out – his second of the day – he walked Nick Markakis. However Jeff Francoeur grounded out pitcher to first to end the threat.

In the bottom of the fifth De La Cruz became the first Brave pitcher to get through an inning without a walk.

Next: The Bitter End