Battery Power - August 26: Rockies 3, Braves 1Your one stop shop for everything Atlanta Braveshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52890/favicon-32x32..png2019-08-26T18:58:02-04:00http://www.batterypower.com/rss/stream/206011442019-08-26T18:58:02-04:002019-08-26T18:58:02-04:00Late inning magic not enough as Braves fall to Rockies, 3-1
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<img alt="MLB: Atlanta Braves at Colorado Rockies" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AihkNvqhZgGTCSUwM8FyM7RUyZ8=/0x50:3000x2050/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65115054/usa_today_13264766.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Russell Lansford-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><em>The Braves’ eight-game winning streak was fun while it lasted, but they were unable to extend it</em></p> <p id="7jLSfr">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>’ cross-country jaunt for one game came back to bite them, as they fell 3-1 on Monday afternoon. The eight game winning streak is officially a thing of the past, and the division lead is now 5 ½ games. The magic number stays at 26.</p>
<p id="4aLzvT">The Braves leaned on some ninth inning magic from <span>Francisco Cervelli</span> and <span>Adeiny Hechavarria</span> to tie the game in the ninth, but a <span>Ryan McMahon</span> walk-off home run in the 10th gave the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> the victory.</p>
<p id="fieCbN">Journeyman Tim Melville stymied the Braves hitters all afternoon, using an electric slider to flummox one of baseball’s best offenses. Even when he tired out in the fifth inning, he was still able to keep the scoreboard clean (though it took him 36 pitches to get out of trouble). Atlanta was able to put runners on in each of Melville’s five innings, but the offense was unable to decipher him as a unit. </p>
<p id="DooTA9">After getting worked over by the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> two starts ago, <span>Julio Teheran</span> worked his second consecutive scoreless outing, keeping the Rockies silent for six innings in one of the game’s most brutal parks. He struck out four and walked three.</p>
<p id="SRAqVV"><span>Dansby Swanson</span>’s return to the lineup might look underwhelming when looking at the box score, but he narrowly missed two home runs - a deep fly out to center in first at-bat, and one that just barely hooked foul in the fourth inning. He struck out three times on the day, but his power stroke doesn’t appear to have been compromised during his IL stint.</p>
<p id="c2sECE">The Braves looked like they were close to pushing a run across in the top of the fourth inning, but there was not evidence to overturn a close call at the plate. Upon further review, it appeared <span>Freddie Freeman</span> was able to elude the tag on the throw, but the review center in New York sided with the original call.</p>
<p id="EoKK5l">The fifth inning also looked promising after <span>Cervelli</span> hit a leadoff double to right, then moved to third on a sacrifice fly from <span>Rafael Ortega</span>. Alas, <span>Teheran</span> struck out, then after <span>Ronald Acuña</span> and <span>Ozzie Albies</span> drew consecutive walks, <span>Freddie Freeman</span> grounded into the shift and the bases were left loaded. This sequence was emblematic of the entire afternoon for the Braves.</p>
<p id="FfRkGn">Old friend <span>Wes Parsons</span>, recently claimed off waivers by Rockies, came in to pitch the sixth, and unfortunately he didn’t resemble the version of himself that lost his spot in the Braves’ bullpen. He worked two scoreless innings.</p>
<p id="L8UecK"><span>Luke Jackson</span> worked a clean seventh for the Braves, and looked fantastic doing so. Now that he is out of the closer’s role, he is really shining as a bullpen piece.</p>
<p id="Eqwm11">Alas, the good feelings from the bullpen were short-lived, as the Rockies relied on some ABC baseball to string together a rally in the eighth inning off <span>Chris Martin</span>. A bleeder just out of the reach of <span>Albies</span> turned into a hustle double for catcher <span>Dom Nunez</span>, who moved over to third on a ground out from <span>Yonder Alonso</span>, then scored on a lineout from <span>Charlie Blackmon</span>. </p>
<p id="fWdW4B">Cervelli’s ninth inning triple to right center set the stage for <span>Hechavarria</span>’s sac fly, but <span>Anthony Swarzak</span> and <span>Jerry Blevins</span> collectively imploded in the tenth. <span>Swarzak</span> walked <span>Nolan Arenado</span> to lead off the inning, and <span>Blevins</span> gave up the killshot to <span>McMahon</span>.</p>
<p id="QDx733">The Braves will travel to Toronto for a two-game set which starts tomorrow.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2019/8/26/20834191/atlanta-braves-bullpen-cant-sustain-late-rally-lose-to-colorado-rockies-3-1Doc Herbert2019-08-26T14:30:12-04:002019-08-26T14:30:12-04:00Braves vs. Rockies, August 26, 2019: Game Thread & Discussion
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<img alt="Atlanta Braves v New York Mets" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/b2SGD8IjDuwHmdOpfJ61KN2Ktxc=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65112839/1170133875.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Afternoon baseball in Denver? Yes, please!</em></p> <p id="2SG4g2">At the close of this game, <span>Julio Teheran</span> will hold a rare distinction - he will start his second game of a three-game series. However, the impressiveness of this statistic will be up for debate, as today is merely a make-up game of a snowed-out contest from back in April.</p>
<p id="6Kpv8p">For what it’s worth, he won the first game he pitched against Colorado this season, wayyyyyyyyyyy back on April 8. He will face <span>Tim Melville</span>, whom the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> have never seen before. In fact, the only batter on the team who has ever faced him is <span>Charlie Culberson</span>, who saw him once back in 2017 - back when Charlie Clutch was still a Dodger.</p>
<p id="Dht9Uv"><span>Dansby Swanson</span> will be welcomed back to the Braves’ lineup with open arms. <span>Adeiny Hechavarria</span> stands to receive a gold watch for his service which Dansby was out.</p>
<p id="3ELziV">The Braves will bring an eight-game winning streak into this one, with a six-game lead in the NL East. With the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> having an off-day, a win today against Colorado will push their division lead to 6 ½ games, and the magic number down to 25.</p>
<p id="d0KxKY">There are few things in this world we would love more than for you to hang out with us on this Monday afternoon, so please stick around and help us populate our comments section with your thoughts. If this sounds like a productive way to spend your afternoon, but you’re feeling trepidation about your level of preparation, perhaps these reading materials are right up your alley:</p>
<p id="UYRFu7"><a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2019/8/26/20833004/atlanta-braves-colorado-rockies-cross-country-trip-finds-braves-in-denver-for-make-up-game">PREVIEW</a> | <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2019/8/26/20833324/dansby-swanson-returns-to-lineup-for-atlanta-braves-colorado-rockies">LINEUP</a></p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2019/8/26/20833708/atlanta-braves-colorado-rockies-august-26-2019-game-thread-discussionDoc Herbert2019-08-26T13:53:25-04:002019-08-26T13:53:25-04:00Dansby Swanson returns to lineup for Braves-Rockies
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<img alt="Kansas City Royals v Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HNsrF7CtcweRsT0fMSxAmGqwVO4=/0x178:1883x1433/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65112512/1163831136.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>After a month on the shelf, the Braves’ shortstop returns to action</em></p> <p id="4gbNEO">For the first time since July 23, <span>Dansby Swanson</span> will be in the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>’ starting lineup. After completing his weekend rehab stint with the Rome Braves, the admirably coiffed shortstop has been activated, and will hit sixth<em><strong> </strong></em>for this afternoon’s game against the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a>.</p>
<p id="H77cWL">What this means long-term for the construction of the big league squad remains to be seen, but even for as good as <span>Adeiny Hechavarria</span> has been in his short tenure, a healthy Dansby is the best case scenario for the Braves. Hech’s roster spot is safe for now, as <span>Adam Duvall</span> was optioned back to Gwinnett to make room for <span>Swanson</span>.</p>
<p id="1TBLo8">Dansby had settled nicely into the second slot in the lineup prior to his injury; with <span>Ozzie Albies</span> catching fire in that slot, Dansby will slot down into the sixth spot instead.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Going for our 9th win in a row!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChopOn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChopOn</a> <a href="https://t.co/UUnYyOZDWk">pic.twitter.com/UUnYyOZDWk</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1166019817272500224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2019</a>
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<p id="hXApR8">With the Rockies sending righty <span>Tim Melville</span> to the mound, lefties <span>Matt Joyce</span> and <span>Rafael Ortega</span> will get deployed in the corner outfield spots today. <span>Francisco Cervelli</span> will catch <span>Julio Teheran</span>.</p>
<p id="CpoopD">This will be the fifth start of <span>Melville</span>’s career, and the first against the Braves. He leaned heavily on his slider against lefties in his most recent start against the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>, so the inclusion of <span>Joyce</span> and Ortega could prove to be a dicey gamble for Brian Snitker and Friends, but Melville’s career numbers point to some ineffectiveness and inconsistencies.</p>
<p id="lAX45N">Meanwhile, the Rockies will perform baseball activities in the following order:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The last time Tim pitched we were on YouTube, and guess what? <br><br>We're on <a href="https://twitter.com/YouTube?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YouTube</a> again!<br><br>Watch exclusively at <a href="https://t.co/Rs6oApoi5J">https://t.co/Rs6oApoi5J</a> <a href="https://t.co/AQtKtTgMOq">pic.twitter.com/AQtKtTgMOq</a></p>— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rockies/status/1166039022151426048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2019</a>
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<p id="EchHHA">The last place Rockies have fallen on hard times, and though I’m not the type to wish ill on any team who is not a division rival, I think we can all agree we don’t want them to turn things around until the Braves leave town.</p>
<p id="e29k0d">First pitch is scheduled for 3:10pm ET.</p>
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https://www.batterypower.com/2019/8/26/20833324/dansby-swanson-returns-to-lineup-for-atlanta-braves-colorado-rockiesDoc Herbert2019-08-26T11:25:03-04:002019-08-26T11:25:03-04:00Braves activate Swanson from IL, option Duvall
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<img alt="Kansas City Royals v Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-CAxzfi2E1M0loItsP-lYGKRCzM=/0x46:4310x2919/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65111379/1163831102.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="QTKb9G">The Braves have activated Dansby Swanson from the Injured List ahead of Monday’s makeup game against the Rockies. In a corresponding move, Adam Duvall has been optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The club also optioned OF Adam Duvall to Triple-A Gwinnett following yesterday’s game and transferred OF Austin Riley’s major league rehabilitation assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett.</p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1166002814973284356?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2019</a>
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<p id="fSDWWK">Swanson has been out since July 23 with a bone bruise to his right foot. The Braves signed Adeiny Hechavarria to play shortstop while Swanson was out. Hechavarria has filled in admirably, but nonetheless Swanson’s return is a big boost for the Braves going forward. </p>
<p id="PKaNgX">Duvall provided a jolt to the Braves’ offense when he was first promoted in July. However, during the month of August, Duvall has hit .148/.224/.279 with a measly 29 wRC+. </p>
<p id="rJPuQi">The Braves also announced that Austin Riley has been transferred to Triple-A while rehabbing from a knee injury. If all goes well for Riley in Gwinnett, he should be back on the Braves’ roster very soon.</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2019/8/26/20833287/braves-activate-swanson-from-il-option-duvallAnthony Traurig2019-08-26T09:00:00-04:002019-08-26T09:00:00-04:00Cross-country trip finds Braves in Colorado for make-up game
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<img alt="Miami Marlins v Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lmVFuTWP7ANZlVNphuXliV5MkEw=/0x0:4139x2759/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65110313/1169467795.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>If the Braves want to extend their winning streak to nine games, they’ll have to do it in Denver</em></p> <p id="BKqMky">The <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> and <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> aren’t exactly what you’d call rivals, so it may seem a tad peculiar that they are facing each other at such a critical juncture of the season. However, this was not by design - today’s game is a make-up of the April 10 match-up which was postponed due to a blizzard.</p>
<p id="YL32VP">This will technically be the third game of a series the Braves already won during the initial meeting back in April, and the second of the series that <span>Julio Teheran</span> will start. During the April 8 game, Julio got the win despite giving up six runs over five innings. That outing saw him give up the first two home runs he had ever given up at Coors Field, which in theory seems like the type of place that would eat him alive. On the season, Julio is 8-8 with a 3.53 ERA | 4.41 FIP.</p>
<p id="Q5lPCA">His opponent, Rockies righty <span>Tim Melville</span>, is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA | 4.79 FIP - but the peripherals are misleading, as the sample size is only one game. Today is his second start of the season for Colorado. The journeyman has jumped back and forth between MLB and AAA over the past several seasons, seeing some time with the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a>, <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a>, and <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Orioles</a> since 2016. In his only other start this season - last week against the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> - he worked seven one-run innings, striking out four and allowing two runs. With a career 31.9% ground ball rate, however, Coors Field could prove to be an adventure for him.</p>
<p id="hYlj4z">The news is not official yet, but <span>Dansby Swanson</span> <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/2019/8/25/20832115/braves-dansby-swanson-injury-return-rockies">could possibly be activated today</a>, and it would be his first Major League activity since July 23 against the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a>. Even for a team that has gone 20-10 without him, his presence with the big league squad would be a sight for sore eyes.</p>
<p id="psADeQ">Since these two teams last saw each other at SunTrust during a three-game set in the last weekend of April, they have taken very divergent paths. The Braves finished that series at 13-14, and have gone 67-38 since, jumping from third place to a six-game lead in the NL East. The Rockies finished that series 13-15, and have gone 45-58 since, falling into last place in the NL West. They are 33-29 at home, but the Braves are 41-25 on the road, so even with the discrepancies in record, today’s game is a toss-up. It’s the Coors Effect.</p>
<p id="OxrBi1">This will be a quick stop in Denver, as the Braves will turn around and head back to Toronto for a two-game series tomorrow afternoon. </p>
<p id="tZYsBr"><strong>Game Info</strong></p>
<p id="zrYcng">Game Date/Time: Monday, August 26, 3:10 pm EST</p>
<p id="N4n7uL">Location: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado</p>
<p id="M46Jcu">TV / Streaming : YouTube exclusive</p>
<p id="dTORRr">Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, Rock 100.5, Braves Radio Network</p>
https://www.batterypower.com/2019/8/26/20833004/atlanta-braves-colorado-rockies-cross-country-trip-finds-braves-in-denver-for-make-up-gameDoc Herbert