Rockies Snap Losing Streak With Rare Victory Against Braves

DENVER, Colorado — The Colorado Rockies ended their eight-game losing streak with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. The win came at a crucial time for the Rockies, who had lost 16 of their previous 17 games and were just 5-25 in the season.

In the third inning, Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle smashed a tiebreaking home run off reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Charlie Sale, marking his first home run of the season. Doyle’s homer was a 421-foot drive to left-center and ended his 0-for-20 skid. He later added a double to contribute to the team’s offensive efforts.

Making his fifth big league start, rookie pitcher Chase Dollander (2-3), the Rockies’ No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 draft, allowed just one run on two hits and three walks over 5⅔ innings with four strikeouts. Dollander’s performance was essential in securing the win, especially after Colorado’s pitchers had struggled throughout the series.

After Dollander’s departure, three relief pitchers combined to maintain the lead. Zach Agnos earned his first major league save, closing out the game effectively. Rockies manager Bud Black praised the strong pitching performance, stating, “To get a W when you’re not scoring runs, it takes a strong pitching performance. So, four guys did it.”

The Braves, who had dominated prior to this game with nine wins in their last 11, could not capitalize on their offensive play. They scored one run in the second inning but failed to add more despite having opportunities, including a key moment where they had runners on first and second but could not convert.

The Rockies’ win was crucial in avoiding joining the infamous 1988 team, which lost 26 of their first 30 games. This victory could serve as a turning point for the struggling franchise, as they hope to build momentum moving forward.