The Atlanta Braves rallied but couldn't complete the comeback against the Colorado Rockies, losing the series opener 6-5 in Coors Field on Friday night.
Here’s what you need to know about from the contest.
Grant Holmes has promise but isn't ready
In an effort to continue to build in rest for the rotation, the Braves elected to give Grant Holmes another start.
There's something there, but he's far from a finished product.
Holmes gave up five runs in his five innings, leaving with Atlnata in a 5-1 hole.
But here's what to like from the outing: Holmes struck out eight Rockies and looked dominant at times: 19 whiffs and a 37% CSW.
Fight from the offense, finally
Atlanta was down 5-1 when Holmes left the game prior to the sixth inning, but they weren't rolling over and accepting defeat.
The Braves rallied for three runs in the seventh inning to tie the game at five each - Ramón Laureano led off the inning with an opposite-field homer, his fourth with Atlanta, and then Jorge Soler launched a game-tying two-run homer, scoring Jarred Kelenic (who singled after Laureano).
It was Soler's first homer in a Braves uniform since the 2021 World Series, where he won MVP honors after going 6-20 with three homers in Atlanta's 3-1 series win.
Two former Braves had prominent roles in this one
Colorado's starter and closer were both former Braves, coming over to the Rockies in the deal for Pierce Johnson deal last July.
Tanner Gordon, tonight's starter, was originally a Braves prospect - he went five innings with two runs on six hits, walking none and striking out seven. Flamethrowing reliever Victor Vodnik was the other part of that trade, and he pitched a scoreless 9th inning for Colorado, getting the save.
(Johnson also got the ball for Atlanta's 8th inning, allowing one hit but picking up three strikeouts and not allowing a run.)
Six-game losing streak for Atlanta
Tonight's loss cements the second six-game losing streak of the 2024 season for the Braves. Pending the results of the West Coast matchups (Philadelphia Phillies at Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners hosting the New York Mets), Atlanta's either going to see their deficit in the division climb to 9.5 games or see the Mets put further separation between them and Atlanta in the NL Wild Card race (or both, if both division rivals win).
What’s next for the Atlanta Braves?
The Braves are back at it tomorrow night. Max Fried (7-6, 3.40) gets the ball for Atlanta, while Colorado has yet to announce a starter. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 PM ET on Bally Sports Southeast.
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