Tomoyuki Sugano has been the best starting pitcher for most of the season for the Colorado Rockies. But he didn't have a good outing on Friday night against the Atlanta Braves.
Tomoyuki Sugano has been making headlines for his starts as part of an otherwise less-than-impressive Colorado Rockies pitching staff. Sugano, though, just didn't have his best stuff on Friday night against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta.
He only worked four-plus innings, giving up 10 hits, six earned runs, walked one, struck out four, and gave up a home run. Sugano could not keep the score close after Colorado got within 4-3 in the top of the fifth inning.
Ultimately, the Braves picked up a 6-4 win.
Rockies finished with 12 total hits
Colorado had 12 total hits off Braves pitching, including a 3-for-5 night for catcher Hunter Goodman. Designated hitter Mickey Moniak and right fielder/left fielder Zac Veen both had two hits apiece.
Atlanta put up a three-spot against Sugano in the bottom of the second inning, then added another run in the fourth. The Braves held a 4-0 lead at that point, but the Rockies were not simply going to lie down against their opponents.
One thing Rockies fans have to give to the team this season is that they haven't shown many signs of giving up when down. Colorado has used that mindset to win more games before this season ends than they did all last season.
In that fifth inning, Veen singled, and Ezequiel Tover followed with another single. Now, Jake McCarthy connected for a sacrifice fly. Veen came into score and got within 4-1 to the Braves.
Colorado closed in on Braves
Cole Carrigg stepped to the plate and singled to center field. Tovar reached third base on the base hit. Goodman singled to left on a ball tipped by Atlanta third baseman Mauricio Dubon. Tovar scored and that put Colorado down 4-2.
Carrigg scored on a TJ Rumfield groundout and the Rockies entered the bottom of the fifth down just 4-3. This game was still in the winnable stage, yet the Braves showed some moxie and put up two more runs in their half of the fifth.
With the bases loaded and one out in the seventh inning, the Rockies notched their final run on a sacrifice fly from Willi Castro.
Braves starter Grant Holmes earned the win, raising his overall record to 9-5. Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias picked up his 29th save on Friday night.
So, can Colorado get off the deck and pick up a win on Saturday at Truist Park in Atlanta? That's going to be the goal as the Rockies face one of baseball's best teams this season.
