Braves can’t get the big hit, lose to Rockies in extras

The Braves lost to the Rockies 3-2 in 10 innings on a rainy Wednesday evening at Truist Park.

Here are five takeaways from Wednesday:

1. Rockies outfielder Raimel Tapia’s two-out single off lefty A.J. Minter scored the placed runner in the 10th. The Braves left two on in the bottom of the frame - a recurring theme of Wednesday – to end it. They finished 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

“We had guys on, we just couldn’t get a hit,” manager Brian Snitker said. “We had a lot of opportunities and couldn’t get a big hit. I don’t think in (extra-innings) situations they’re up there trying to leave (the park with a home run), they’re just trying to put a good swing on the ball and it just didn’t happen. ... A lot of situations in our favor. We just couldn’t get the big hit.”

2. Puerto Rican left fielder Eddie Rosario, wearing No. 21 in honor of Roberto Clemente on the day major-league baseball celebrated his legacy, put the Braves on the board with a two-out hit in the second. He tied the game with a solo shot in the fifth.

“It was real important to be able to wear that number,” Rosario said. “To Puerto Ricans, he set the example we all try to follow on and off the field. It’s a big honor to wear that number. More than anything, I think the battle we Puerto Ricans have taken up is trying to get his number retired across MLB. That’s something we’re fighting for and hopefully we can gain some traction in that argument.”

Rosario has four homers and 10 RBIs in 16 games with the Braves. The team’s move to acquire him as a salary dump from Cleveland was another trade-deadline coup that helped reshape the Braves’ lineup and outfield depth.

3. Braves right-hander Huascar Ynoa started brilliantly Wednesday, striking out seven over four scoreless innings, before a high pitch count led to him running out of gas in the fifth.

The first two Rockies singled to open the inning. An out later, Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela bunted, forcing the Braves to make a play on the soggy field. First baseman Freddie Freeman snagged the ball – it appeared to be drifting foul down the first-base line – and threw too high at home, allowing the Rockies to score their first run.

Ynoa walked Garrett Hampson in the next at-bat to load the bases. He struck out Brendan Rodgers on a nasty slider for the inning’s second out. Georgia Tech product Charlie Blackmon drew a bases-loaded walk to put the Rockies ahead.

“(I should have) attacked the zone a bit more during that last at-bat,” Ynoa said via team interpreter Franco Garcia.

4. Snitker lifted Ynoa for Jacob Webb, who fanned Trevor Story to leave the bases loaded. That Snitker trusted Webb in that situation is a testament to the righty’s improved performance. Webb struggled mightily in three consecutive outings in May, leading to his demotion to Triple-A. He’d appear in only four major-league games over the next two months.

But Webb, recalled when rosters expanded Sept. 1, has been phenomenal in September. He’s allowed two hits across 7-1/3 scoreless innings (seven appearances). He’s struck out six and walked two. Webb looks closer to 2019 form, when he burst onto the scene as a rookie and earned an extended stay in the bullpen.

“I trust him a lot,” Snitker said. “Since he’s been back, he’s been really good. He’s elevated himself into some high-leverage situations. His change-up, his command. We saw that a couple years ago. He’s throwing the ball extremely well and that was a huge spot in that game to keep it right there.”

5. The Braves’ National League East lead dropped to 3-1/2 games with their loss and the Phillies’ win over the Cubs.

Stat to know

4-8 (The Braves are 4-8 in extra-innings games.)

Quotable

“MLB needs to retire the No. 21.” – Rosario on Clemente

Clemente Award

Braves closer Will Smith was honored on the field before the game as the Braves’ 2021 Roberto Clemente Award nominee.

Up next

The Braves will try to avoid the sweep on what’s expected to be a rainy Thursday afternoon. Right-hander Ian Anderson (7-5, 3.61) will face Rockies ace German Marquez (12-10, 3.93).