The Colorado Rockies' trip to Atlanta hasn't proven fruitful at all. Tommy Hanson shut down the offense on Monday, and Troy Tulowitzki went down with quad tightness. Then on Tuesday Derek Lowe kept the Rockies off-balance on both the mound and while in the batter's box, delivering a bases-loaded three-run double. And on Wednesday, Aaron Cook looked like a pitcher on his way out of the rotation.
And so the Rockies turn to Juan Nicasio (3-1, 4.10 ERA) on Thursday afternoon to avoid being swept in the four-game series. Nicasio is coming off his best start of the season, a 9-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on July 1. He held the Royals scoreless for eight innings and allowed just three hits. That start was just the second one in which he was allowed to throw over 100 pitches.
Tim Hudson (7-6, 3.57 ERA) finished June with 14 innings of scoreless ball, but allowed three runs in his first July start. However, the Braves were able to squeak out a 5-4 victory against the Orioles that day (July 2). Hudson's made six career starts against the Rockies, going 3-2 with a 4.86 ERA.
First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. MT.
For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Check out Talking Chop and SB Nation Atlanta for the Braves.