(15-5) Atlanta Braves at (13-7) Colorado Rockies Recap

"DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Starting pitcher Julio Teheran #49 of the Atlanta Braves delivers to home plate during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 23, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)"

After winning the first of their two-game double header against the Colorado Rockies earlier today, the Braves took the field looking to earn another road win in the night cap of the double header. In the first game,  the Braves used 3 home runs from the bats of Justin Upton, Dan Uggla, and Evan Gattis and a terrific start by Mike Minor to snap their modest three game losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Rockies. In the nightcap, young right hander, Julio Teheran will look to earn his first win of 2013. In his last start against the Pirates, Teheran gave up seven hits, four runs (all earned), walked three and struck out four through five innings. Teheran again received a no decision. Although the youngster has struggled through three starts, the Braves are a perfect 3-0. For the Colorado Rockies, Jon Garland would take the mound and look to extend his 2013 season record to an impressive 3-0 start. Garland spent most of his thirteen MLB seasons as a member of the White Sox. He's been solid over his career including winning a career high eighteen games in 2005 and 2006 with an all-star appearance. Garland has looked good in his three starts with the Rockies, posting a 2-0 record with a 3.32 ERA. In arguably his best start so far this season, Garland pitched seven strong innings, giving up six hits, two runs (both earned), and struck out four against the Mets. After an impressive start to today's games, the Braves will look to finish today off with another win out in Denver.


FIRST INNING:

Ramiro Pena would open Atlanta's first offensive stint with a double to right field with no outs. B. J. Upton lines into a double play, third baseman Reid Brignac to second baseman Josh Rutledge. Ramiro Pena doubled off 2nd for two outs. After Justin Upton walked, Freddie Freeman grounds out, second baseman Josh Rutledge to first baseman Jordan Pacheco and end the Braves threat. In Colorado's first offensive inning, Eric Young flies out to center fielder B. J. Upton for the first out. After Dexter Fowler singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jordan Schafer, the Rockies couldn't capitalize as Troy Tulowitzki strikes out swinging; followed by Michael Cuddyer grounds out, second baseman Ramiro Pena to first baseman Freddie Freeman and the game was scoreless through the first inning.

SECOND INNING:

In Atlanta's second offensive stretch, Juan Francisco bunt grounds out, pitcher Jon Garland to first baseman Jordan Pacheco for the first out; followed by Gerald Laird grounds out softly, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to first baseman Jordan Pacheco for the second out. Atlanta would keep the inning alive as Andrelton Simmons singles on a line drive to left fielder Eric Young and Jordan Schafer singles on a line drive to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Andrelton Simmons to 2nd; however, With Julio Teheran batting, Jon Garland picks off Andrelton Simmons at 2nd on throw to Troy Tulowitzki to end the Braves threat. In the Rockies second offensive stretch, Jordan Pacheco singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Justin Upton; however, With Josh Rutledge batting, Julio Teheran picks off Jordan Pacheco at 1st on throw to Freddie Freeman. Josh Rutledge singled on a ground ball to right fielder Jordan Schafer to put one runner on with one out; and with Reid Brignac batting, missed catch error by Freddie Freeman on the pickoff attempt, Josh Rutledge to 2nd. However, the Rockies wouldn't capitalize as Reid Brignac grounds out, first baseman Freddie Freeman to pitcher Julio Teheran. Josh Rutledge to 3rd; followed by Yorvit Torrealba pops out to catcher Gerald Laird in foul territory and the game would remain scoreless.

THIRD INNING:

The Braves offense would go down in a 1-2-3 fashion as Julio Teheran grounds out, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to first baseman Jordan Pacheco; followed by Ramiro Pena grounds out, pitcher Jon Garland to first baseman Jordan Pacheco and B. J. Upton grounds out, third baseman Reid Brignac to first baseman Jordan Pacheco. In Colorado's next offensive stint, Jon Garland grounds out softly, second baseman Ramiro Pena to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Eric Young singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ramiro Pena; followed by Troy Tulowitzki lines out softly to shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Colorado would capitalize as Michael Cuddyer singles on a ground ball to left fielder Justin Upton. Eric Young scores. Dexter Fowler to 2nd as the Rockies took a 1-0 lead with two outs. Colorado's inning would end as Jordan Pacheco flies out to center fielder B.J. Upton and would take a 1-0 lead into the fourth inning.

FOURTH INNING:

"DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Jordan Schafer #17 of the Atlanta Braves hits an RBI single during the the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 23, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)"

Atlanta's fourth inning would be a huge offensive one after Justin Upton pops out to second baseman Josh Rutledge. After Freddie Freeman walks, Juan Francisco homered on a fly ball to right field and Freddie Freeman would also score and give the Braves a 2-1 lead with one out. Gerald Laird singled on a line drive to left fielder Eric Young with one out and with Andrelton Simmons batting, Gerald Laird steals 2nd base. Andrelton Simmons grounds out, third baseman Reid Brignac to first baseman Jordan Pacheco for the second out. Jordan Schafer singled on a line drive to center fielder Dexter Fowler. Gerald Laird scored giving the Braves a 3-1 lead. After Julio Teheran singles on a line drive to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Jordan Schafer to 2nd, the inning would come to an end as Ramiro Pena grounds out, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to first baseman Jordan Pacheco. Colorado would be retired in a 1-2-3 fashion as Josh Rutledge flies out to right fielder Jordan Schafer; followed by Reid Brignac grounding out, pitcher Julio Teheran to first baseman Freddie Freeman and finally Yorvit Torrealba flied out to center fielder B. J. Upton as the Braves took a 3-1 lead into the next inning.

FIFTH INNING:

"DENVER, CO - APRIL 23: Justin Upton #8 of the Atlanta Braves is greeted by third base coach Brian Snitker #51 after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 23, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)"

Atlanta's offense would get a huge boost to start the next inning as B. J. Upton homered for the third time this season on a fly ball to left field to give the Braves a 4-1 lead; followed by his brother Justin Upton homered for the eleventh time this year on a fly ball to right center field and increased the lead to 5-1 and that would be all of the offense for the inning as Freddie Freeman lined out to third baseman Reid Brignac; followed by Juan Francisco called out on strikes and Gerald Laird flied out to left fielder Eric Young. In the Rockies next offensive stint, Jon Garland grounds out, pitcher Julio Teheran to shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman for the first out. After Eric Young singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jordan Schafer and would steal second base with one out, the Rockies couldn't capitalize as Dexter Fowler flies out to right fielder Jordan Schafer followed by Troy Tulowitzki flyng out to center fielder B. J. Upton and Atlanta would take their 5-1 lead into the next inning.

SIXTH INNING:

Andrelton Simmons started the Braves next offensive inning with a single on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Reid Brignac followed by a Jordan Schafer walk advancing Andrelton Simmons to 2nd. After Julio Teheran out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Yorvit Torrealba to second baseman Josh Rutledge. Andrelton Simmons to 3rd. Jordan Schafer to 2nd. After Ramiro Pena walked, B. J. Upton out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Dexter Fowler. Andrelton Simmons scores and give the Braves a 6-1 lead with two outs; however, Atlanta's threat would end as Justin Upton flies out to center fielder Dexter Fowler. In the Rockies next offensive stint, Michael Cuddyer lines out to right fielder Jordan Schafer. After Jordan Pacheco singled on a line drive to left fielder Justin Upton with one out, Josh Rutledge grounds into a force out, third baseman Juan Francisco to second baseman Ramiro Pena. Jordan Pacheco out at 2nd. Josh Rutledge to 1st and the inning would come to an end as Reid Brignac grounds out, second baseman Ramiro Pena to first baseman Freddie Freeman and the Braves maintained their 6-1 lead to the seventh inning.

SEVENTH INNING:

As the Braves offense started the next inning, Josh Outman replaced Jon Garland, batting 7th, replacing third baseman Reid Brignac. The Braves would go down in 1-2-3 fashion as Freddie Freeman struck out swinging; followed by Juan Francisco grounds out softly, second baseman Josh Rutledge to first baseman Jordan Pacheco and Gerald Laird struck out swinging for the last out. Colorado would also be retired in a 1-2-3 fashion as Yorvit Torrealba was called out on strikes; followed by Jonathan Herrera grounding out, first baseman Freddie Freeman to pitcher Julio Teheran and Eric Young struck out swinging to end the inning and the Braves maintained their 6-1 lead into the eighth inning.

EIGHTH INNING:

Similar to the seventh inning, the Braves would be retired in a 1-2-3 fashion as Andrelton Simmons grounds out, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to first baseman Jordan Pacheco; followed by Jordan Schafer striking out swinging and Tyler Pastornicky, who pinched hit for Julio Tehran after pitching (7.0) innings, allowed (8) hits and one run but issued three strike outs, flied out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer to record the final out. The Rockies would face reliever Cory Gearrin and didn't pose much of a threat to him as Dexter Fowler grounded out, second baseman Ramiro Pena to first baseman Freddie Freeman; followed by Troy Tulowitzki strikes out swinging. After Michael Cuddyer singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Jordan Schafer, Jordan Pacheco popped out to second baseman Ramiro Pena and the Braves held a 6-1 lead into the final inning.

NINTH INNING:

Atlanta would pour on more runs in the last inning as Ramiro Pena singled on a line drive to center fielder Dexter Fowler with no outs. After B. J. Upton strikes out swinging, his brother Justin Upton doubled on a line drive to left fielder Eric Young. Ramiro Pena scores to give the Braves a 7-1 lead with one out. After Freddie Freeman walked to place two men on with one out, Juan Francisco doubled on a line drive to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Justin Upton scores. Freddie Freeman to 3rd and the Braves extended their lead to 8-1 and still only had one out. After the Rockies replaced Josh Outman with reliever Wilton Lopez, Atlanta would still capitalize on more runs as Gerald Laird singled on a line drive to left fielder Eric Young. Freddie Freeman scores. Juan Francisco scores to push the Braves lead to 10-1. The Braves threat would come to an end as Andrelton Simmons flies out to left fielder Eric Young followed by Jordan Schafer grounding into a force out, second baseman Josh Rutledge to shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Gerald Laird out at 2nd. In Colorado's last at-bat, Josh Rutledge grounds out, second baseman Ramiro Pena to first baseman Freddie Freeman to earn the first out; followed by Chris Nelson flies out to right fielder Jordan Schafer. The Rockies would generate a little offense with two outs as Yorvit Torrealba singles on a ground ball to center fielder B. J. Upton followed by a Jonathan Herrera single on a line drive to center fielder B. Upton. Yorvit Torrealba to 2nd. Colorado would capitalize as Eric Young singles on a ground ball to center fielder B. J. Upton. Yorvit Torrealba scores. Jonathan Herrera to 2nd to cut Atlanta's lead to 10-2 and the game would end as Dexter Fowler flies out to left fielder Reed Johnson as the Braves would win both games of the doubleheader.

WINNING PITCHER: 

Julio Teheran (1-0): 

(7.0) innings, allowed (8) hits and one earned run, issued three strike outs

LOSING PITCHER:

Jon Garland (2-1):

(6.0) innings, allowed (10) hits, (6) earned runs, (4) walks, (3) home runs and issued one strike-out


PLAYERS OF THE GAME:

Julio Teheran/Braves Offense:

After a rough start to the 2013 MLB season, Julio Teheran finally earned his first win of the 2013 season. In tonight's game, he cooled off an explosive Colorado offense in (7.0) innings, allowed (8) hits and one earned run, issued three strike outs. Although he seemed a little tense early, he settled in and prevented the Rockies from having any chance of winning tonight's contest. Teheran is still young; however, tonight's game could be a turning point for the young prospect as he look to make an impact as the Braves #5 starting pitcher. The entire Braves offense receives credit for tonight's victory. Although there were certain members of the offense whom delivered a big impact for tonight's game such as Juan Francisco, who hit (2-5) and accounted for three RBI's and a two run home run in tonight's win and Justin Upton's (2-4) night with two RBI's including a solo home run in the fifth inning to help extend the Braves lead. The Braves offense accounted for (3) home runs and (14) hits and every starter except Freddie Freeman earned a base hit. 

CONCLUSION:

Atlanta's victory gave them a double-header sweep against the Colorado Rockies and the Braves would look to end the series with a sweep as Tim Hudson would take the mound tomorrow at 3:00 PM. Atlanta continues to be one of the most impressive teams around the majors to open the 2013 season and tonight's win displayed how special this unit could be throughout the season. Each night, the Braves are showing the nation that they can win ball games in many different aspects and tomorrow, they will look to extend their winning streak to a three games in a row. Until tomorrow, GO BRAVES!!!!