The Colorado Rockies finally broke their eight-game losing skid with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. This win was crucial, preventing them from matching the ignominious 1988 Baltimore Orioles’ record for the worst 30-game start in MLB history since 1901. The Rockies, with a dismal 5-25 record going into the game, had been significantly outscored in their previous games, making this victory all the more significant.
Brenton Doyle played a pivotal role, smashing a solo home run – his first hit in over 20 at-bats – to break the 1-1 tie in the third inning. The 421-foot blast to left-center field was a crucial turning point in the game. Doyle’s performance didn’t stop there; he later added a double to his impressive contribution.
Rookie pitcher Chase Dollander, the Rockies’ No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 draft, delivered a solid performance, allowing only one run and two hits in 5⅔ innings. Despite a cracked fingernail, he managed to secure his second major league win. The bullpen stepped up impressively, with Jake Bird, Seth Halvorsen, and Zach Agnos combining for a three-hitter, with Agnos earning his first major league save.
While the Rockies celebrated their win, Ryan McMahon’s struggles continued, extending his hitless streak to a team-record 0-for-34, surpassing Desi Relaford’s 2005 record. Despite the team’s overall struggles, the win offers a glimmer of hope, snapping a long losing streak and avoiding a place in MLB history books that no team wants to occupy.
On the other side, Chris Sale, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, pitched well for the Braves, striking out 10 batters, but ultimately couldn’t prevent the Rockies from securing the win. The Braves, who had been on a hot streak themselves, saw their winning run end. A key moment in the game saw Jake Bird strike out Ozzie Albies with runners on base, effectively extinguishing Atlanta’s hopes of a comeback.
Looking ahead, the Rockies will face off against the San Francisco Giants, while the Braves begin a homestand against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The upcoming games will be crucial in determining the trajectory of both teams’ seasons.
