The Braves lost another one-run game Saturday, falling short 7-6 in Colorado.
Here are five takeaways from the game:
1. Braves starter Ian Anderson logged just three innings in his first outing at Coors Field. He surrendered four runs on five hits, including two homers, while walking four and failing to record a strikeout. It was the second consecutive start since returning from shoulder inflammation that Anderson didn’t strike out a hitter (8-2/3 innings overall).
Anderson said he feels “fine” physically. He added the lack of strikeouts is “weird” but he didn’t express any long-term concerns.
“I just didn’t have it tonight,” Anderson said. “The change-up was the one pitch that definitely wasn’t there. And that’s tough for me. I need that, use it quite a bit. The fastball command wasn’t great either. We got away from the curveball a little bit. We knew it was going to be limited use coming in, then the other two weren’t there, that’s a recipe for disaster. I just have to be better next time, without a doubt.”
2. The Braves are the second team in MLB history to have each of their four infielders reach the 25-homer mark, joining the 2008 Marlins. Second baseman Ozzie Albies put them in that category with his 25th home run in the third inning.
The infield could become the first with each member reaching the 30-homer mark. The 2008 Marlins fell one homer shy of that achievement as Jorge Cantu finished with 29. Mike Jacobs (32 home runs), Dan Uggla (32) and Hanley Ramirez (33) were the other Marlins sluggers.
On the 2021 Braves, first baseman Freddie Freeman and third baseman Austin Riley each has 28 homers. Shortstop Dansby Swanson has 26, followed by Albies with 25. They have 27 games remaining.
“Beside that, and that is awesome, is watching these guys and how they come to play every day, how they prepare and how consistent they are regardless of their offense,” manager Brian Snitker said. “I have such great respect for all those guys because they come to play every day. The work ethic, consistency in what they do. To be honest with you, I was thinking this would be the first infield to have 30 (homers). I thought that’s what they were shooting for, not (becoming the second group with 25).”
3. Swanson and Albies became just the fifth middle infield pairing in MLB history to each hit 25 home runs in a season. The others to do such: Boston’s Bobby Doerr and Vern Stephens (1948, 1950); Florida’s Ramirez and Uggla (2007, 2008); the Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres (2019); Philadelphia’s Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley (2006).
4. The Braves’ bullpen has been tasked with a lot of innings during the Rockies series. Starter Touki Toussaint went just three innings Thursday, Huascar Ynoa went 5-1/3 frames on Friday and Anderson went only three Saturday.
Already having pitched 8-1/3 scoreless innings in the first two games, Braves relievers had to cover five more Saturday. The group allowed three runs in that time; two were charged to A.J. Minter while the third came off Sean Newcomb.
5. Left-hander Drew Smyly was at least temporarily moved to the bullpen after posting an ERA over 6.00 in August. He made his relief debut in the eighth inning, retiring the Rockies in order. Snitker said Smyly was “great.” The southpaw could still make a start next week, Snitker said earlier in the day.
Stat to know
5 (The Braves have played five consecutive one-run games, dropping four of those contests.)
Quotable
“It was frustrating. You have a chance to pitch a good ballgame and it would’ve been a big win for us. And to go out there and, in my mind, have probably the worst start of my career, it stinks.” – Anderson
Around the National League East
The Phillies blew a late lead against the Marlins, squandering an opportunity to pull within one game of the Braves. The Mets split a doubleheader against the Nationals, putting them 3-1/2 games behind the Braves.
Up next
The Braves and Rockies finish their series Sunday when the Braves’ Charlie Morton (12-5, 3.52) faces lefty Austin Gomber (9-9, 4.53).
