After being unable to offensively produce in two critical innings at home against the Colorado Rockies, the Atlanta Braves missed a golden opportunity to pick up a game in the National League East standings.
The Atlanta Braves had a chance to make a statement in the first inning as a six-game homestand opened with a matchup against the Colorado Rockies. However, the Braves couldn’t push a run across the plate, and the missed opportunity would come back to haunt them in a 3-2 loss.
Coupled with a 4-3 win by the Los Angeles Dodgers over the New York Mets, the Braves are still 3.0 games behind the Mets in the National League East.
Here are 3 takeaways from inside the Atlanta Braves clubhouse after a close defeat to Colorado Rockies
1. Missed opportunities
After Colorado starter Jose Ureña surrendered nine hits and nine runs in a home loss to the Texas Rangers on August 24, the Rockies right-hander looked to be on the ropes against the Braves. In the first inning, Ureña had an error and two walks loading the bases for Atlanta with only one out. However, after a mound visit, Ureña settled down and struck out Travis d’Arnuad and Eddie Rosario to close out the frame.
The same could be said in the eighth inning, when the Braves drew two walks but couldn’t get the tying run home. Rockies reliever Carlos Estévez worked his way around the walks to strike out the side.
“We had the starter on the ropes a couple of times and couldn’t get a big hit, and then they got into their bullpen,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said after the loss. “They’ve got some really good arms down there.”