The Colorado Rockies fought hard but couldn’t overcome a dominant Atlanta Braves pitching performance in a 4-1 loss on June 14 at Truist Park. The loss dropped the Rockies to a 13-57 record, the poorest 70-game mark in MLB’s modern era since the 1932 Red Sox.

Atlanta jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Matt Olson’s first-inning RBI single scored Ronald Acuña Jr. to get on the board first. In the second inning, Acuña launched a two-run homer to make it 3-0. Later in the fifth inning, Austin Riley knocked an RBI single to score the fourth and final run for the Braves.

It was all that the Braves would need as starting pitcher Spencer Strider was overpowering on the mound, spinning six shutout innings with 13 strikeouts to stifle Colorado’s hitters. He allowed just three hits and one walk, cruising on just 87 pitches. The bullpen kept up the dominance, contributing six more punchouts for a grand total of 19 strikeouts.

The Rockies did manage four hits in total, with Brenton Doyle driving in the team’s lone run in the ninth inning. However, Ryan McMahon led the way with four punchouts as everyone but Thairo Estrada struck out at least once. Inability to make contact has been a major issue for the Rockies this season, particularly when they haven’t been able to keep pace with walks or home runs.

Chase Dollander started on the mound and did manage to go six innings. It was a welcome rebound after a rough few starts as he managed to give the bullpen some relief. In all he went six innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits. He battled his command with three walks but also got four strikeouts. Anthony Molina went two innings in relief, striking out two and allowing just one hit.

The Rockies will round out the series on Sunday with Austin Gomber getting activated off the 60-day injured list to make his first start of the season. Grant Holmes will take the mound for the Braves.