Double Plays, Bad Defense Results in Second Straight Loss for Braves

More bad defense and zero hitting resulted in a second straight loss for the Braves as they dropped to the Rockies, 5-2.

Both teams got the game going with long balls as Carlos Gonzalez hit a two-run shot in the first and Alex Gonzalez hit a solo homer in the second. Neither team scored again until the sixth, when Seth Smith hit a solo homer for a two-run Rockies lead. Gonzalez cut the lead to one again in the seventh on an RBI single, but Dexter Fowler drove in two in the eighth for a three-run lead, where it remained.

You could say double plays killed the Braves and you’d be right. They put the leadoff man on in the first and hit into a double play. They did the same in the second, erasing a baserunner and causing Gonzalez’s home run to be a solo shot. They did it again in the sixth. Their last double play came in the eighth, but this time the runner didn’t get on until two outs. Three of the four double plays hit into erased the leadoff batter that reached base. The Braves had seven hits and one walk but only one at bat with a runner in scoring position. How sad.

Derek Lowe pitched pretty well, allowing three runs on two homers and one other extra base hit in six innings. He walked two and struck out four. His control remained pretty solid and he got ground balls when he wasn’t giving up home runs.

Eric O’Flaherty pitched a scoreless seventh. Takashi Saito allowed two singles and a passed ball set up both in scoring position. A single by Fowler brought home both. Otherwise he struck out the side.

The Braves looked to salvage a win in the series finale Wednesday afternoon. Jair Jurrjens faces Esmil Rogers. The Astros beat the Phillies a second straight night, this time in 16 innings, keeping the Braves’ lead at 2.5 games.