The Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies close out a four-game series Thursday afternoon at Coors Field

Atlanta Braves at Colorado Rockies

Atlanta has managed to score just five combined runs in dropping the last two contests to Colorado on the road, including a 3-2 defeat last night.  “You just hate to lose a ballgame with two outs and nobody on in the ninth and one of your best defenders makes an error,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.  “I was the first one to pat him on the back when he left the field.”  The Braves hold an all-time 97-59 advantage in this series, but have tallied a losing 32-35 mark at Coors Field.  Offensively, the team has to be happy with the recent play of second baseman Dan Uggla, who is hitting .333 with five home runs over a 12-game hitting streak.  Atlanta is 20-13 in day games this year and 25-16 following a loss.

Braves starting pitcher Tommy Hanson is 10-5 with a 2.73 ERA in 18 starts this season and is coming off his first loss since May 27 last time out.  In that particular appearance, he allowed five runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.  Hanson has garnered a 5-2 mark and 2.62 ERA in nine road starts, limiting opposing hitters to a .197 batting average.  In two career efforts versus the Braves, the third-year starter is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA, surrendering just a single home run in 12 frames.

Colorado walked off with a thrilling 3-2 victory due to a single delivered by outfielder Carlos Gonzalez in the ninth inning.  The Rockies have now won two straight games and Gonzalez is starting to show signs of moving past a wrist injury that has plagued him since July 3.  In picking up the victory, the club evened its record against National League East opponents at 11-11.  Entering yesterday’s contest, the offense was hitting .323 and averaging seven runs a contest on its current homestand.  Colorado is a disappointing 12-20 in day games this year and 30-40 when facing right-handed starters.

Rockies starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin is 8-7 with a 3.37 ERA in 19 starts this season and has lost three consecutive decisions.  The right-hander allowed five runs and seven hits over 6 1/3 frames in a no-decision effort last time out, as Colorado dropped an 8-7 home game to Milwaukee.  Chacin will be toeing the rubber for the 11th time at home, bringing in a 4-3 mark and 2.90 ERA, as opponents are hitting .194 against him.  The 23-year-old from Venezuela will be matching up against the Braves for just the second time, dropping a 5-3 decision three starts back in Atlanta, giving up four runs and four hits over five innings.

Bettors will likely back the Braves due to their 7-0 mark in Hanson’s last seven road efforts, while the Rockies are 2-5 in Chacin’s last seven starts versus NL East competition