Braves at Rockies
The Colorado Rockies emerged from their offensive slumber in a big way and attempt to follow up with another strong effort on Thursday afternoon in the finale of their four-game series against the Atlanta Braves. Colorado pounded the Braves 17-2 on Wednesday to put aside a slump during which it scored three runs in each of its previous six games.
The Rockies, who lead the National League wild-card race, managed just 21 runs while losing six of their previous eight games but racked up 18 hits - nine for extra bases - while defeating Atlanta at Coors Field for the 12th time in 13 meetings. Trevor Story homered twice and drove in a career-best six runs while DJ LeMahieu (ninth career four-hit effort, four runs scored), Mark Reynolds (3-for-5, homer, four RBIs) and Gerardo Parra (3-for-5, four RBIs) also had huge performances. Atlanta has scored just six runs in three games in the high altitude of Denver and has lost 17 of its last 23 overall contests. Wednesday's shellacking marked the fourth time in 21 games the Braves have allowed 10 or more runs, with all four occurring on the road.
TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Lucas Sims (0-3, 5.71 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jeff Hoffman (6-4, 5.15)
Sims has dropped all three of his starts since being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett. The 23-year-old allowed five runs - four earned - and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings while falling to St. Louis on Saturday. Sims has registered three strikeouts in each outing while serving up four homers.
Hoffman is scuffling through a five-start winless stretch during which he has lost three times and lasted five or fewer innings in each of the setbacks. The 24-year-old lost to Miami in his last turn as he gave up four runs and seven hits in five frames. Hoffman, who is making his first career start against Atlanta, is 2-2 with a 6.15 ERA in nine appearances (eight starts) at home this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Colorado 3B Nolan Arenado recorded two doubles and drove in a pair of runs on Wednesday to raise his major league-leading RBI total to 103.
2. Atlanta RF Nick Markakis is 5-for-11 with a homer and three RBIs in the series.
3. Story has collected three blasts and seven RBIs over his last two games after registering none of either over his previous 13 contests.