ATLANTA BRAVES NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Braves and Rockies tonight continue a three-game series with the sixth of seven total games between the clubs this season…. Atlanta and Colorado played a four-game set at Truist Park, June 15-18. The Braves have won all five games with the Rockies this season and are 11-1 in their last 12 games against Colorado dating to last year. Atlanta went 6-1 in seven games with Colorado last season, the Braves’ most wins in a single season versus the Rockies since winning six in every year from 2011-2013. Last season marked the first time the Braves won the season set with the Rockies since going 4-3 in 2014…From 2015 through 2021, Atlanta played to just a 12-28 (.300) record versus the Rockies… Colorado played to a .700 winning percentage versus Atlanta in those years, but just a .477 winning percentage overall. The Braves swept all four games at Coors Field last season, Atlanta’s first four-game sweep here in franchise history…Atlanta has won six straight games here dating to 2021, tied for its longest winning streak in this building…The Braves also won six straight here from 2011-2013. RH Charlie Morton has made 13 career starts against the Rockies, compiling a 5-2 record and a 3.99 ERA (34 ER/76.2 IP)…The 6-foot-5, 215-pound right-hander faced them once earlier this season, June 18 at Truist Park, and allowed five hits and five runs over 5.0 innings, but earned the win in Atlanta’s victory, 14-6. RH Peter Lambert is set to make the first start and second appearance of his career versus the Braves… The 6-foot-2, 208-pound native of San Dimas, CA, pitched 2.0 scoreless innings of relief against Atlanta earlier this season…In 22 total appearances and eight starts for the Rockies this year, Lambert is 3-4 with a 4.92 ERA (39 ER/71.1 IP) and 62 strikeouts.

WIN: The Braves beat the Rockies, 14-4, last night to earn the win the series opener…In five games with Colorado this year, Atlanta has scored 54 runs and has outscored the Rockies by 38 (54-16). Last night marked the 18th time this season Atlanta scored double-digit runs, the third most such games in the majors…Only the Rangers (23) and Cubs (20) have done so more often. It marked the fifth time Atlanta has scored at least 14 runs, tied with Texas for most in the majors. Atlanta collected 18 hits last night, the seventh time at is season the club has recorded at least that many in a game…No other club has done so more than five times (Houston, 5). The Braves scored four runs in the seventh inning and five more in the ninth, and have scored at least four runs in an inning 43 times this season…That total is tied with the Dodgers for most in the N.L

MORTON SCORELESS: Charlie Morton enters tonight’s start throwing 18.0 consecutive scoreless innings, the longest active scoreless streak in baseball. Each of Morton’s last three starts have been scoreless efforts…He pitched 5.0 scoreless on August 11 at the Mets, 6.0 scoreless on August 16 vs. the Yankees, and 7.0 scoreless in his last turn, August 23 vs. the Mets at Truist Park. Morton’s career-best scoreless streak is 24.0 innings, set in 2011 while with the Pirates. Morton struck out 10 versus the Yankees, and 11 in his last turn versus the Mets, the fifth time in his career he has fanned at least 10 in back-to-back starts…He has never done so in three straight turns. He has won each of his last three starts, and has a decision in 12 straight turns dating to June 18 (8-4, 3.11 ERA)…Morton’s 23 total decisions are most in baseball this season.

RISP: Atlanta went 8-for-19 with runners in scoring position last night, its second-most such hits in a game this season…The Braves had nine hits in 19 at-bats with runners in scoring position on August 12 at NYM. Against the Rockies this season, the Braves are batting .385/.438/.769 with a 1.207 OPS with runners in scoring position…Atlanta is 20-for-52 with three homers and 36 RBI. As a team this season Atlanta is batting .269 with runners in scoring position, the 10th-best average in baseball…However, the Braves’ .495 slugging and .851 OPS in such situations is best in the majors. Atlanta has 60 homers with runners in scoring position, 11 more than any other team in baseball… Matt Olson’s 15 such homers are three more than any other player, and Austin Riley’s nine are tied for fifth.

Tonight’s Starting Pitcher – #50 Charlie Morton RHP
2023 Record: 13-10, 3.37 ERA • 2022 Record: 9-6, 4.34 ERA
vs. RHB: .249 (72-289), 6 HR • vs. LHB: .234 (57-244), 7 HR
Home: 7-5, 3.23 ERA (27/75.1) • Away: 6-5, 3.53 ERA (26/66.1)

Today’s Game

• Set to make his 26th start of the season and second against Colorado. Struck out 11 Mets hitters through 7.0 scoreless frames of two-hit ball in his last outing to earn his 13th win of the season. Turned in his third consecutive scoreless start (7.0 IP), following 5 IP at NYM on Aug. 11 and 6 IP on Aug. 16 vs. NYY…It’s the first time in his career that he’s recorded three consecutive scoreless outings, regardless of length. His 18.0 inning scoreless streak is the longest active streak in the majors and his longest since a 21.0-inning run in June of 2021. Recorded at least 10 strikeouts in his last two consecutive outings. Became the 20th player in major league history (live ball era) at age 39 or older to strikeout 10 or more hitters in consecutive games and first since Hall-of-Famer John Smoltz in 2008.
• His three games with at least 10 punchouts and zero runs allowed are tied for the fourth most among pitchers age 39 or older in major league history (1901). His 13 wins are the fifth most in the National League. Since 2019, Morton’s teams have wone 75 of his starts; fourth most in the majors during that span. Has 20 starts in 10 different seasons. Earned his 10th win of the season spinning 7.0 shutout-innings on July 14. Morton has now won at least 10 games in six different seasons.
• Became just the fifth pitcher in the Braves franchise history to record 10 wins in a season after turning 39 (Niekro [5], Spahn [4], Smoltz [2], Dickey [1]). Morton has struck out 377 hitters with his curveball since the beginning of the 2020; the most in the majors. During that span hitters are missing on 53.1% of curveballs thrown, the second highest rate in the majors…The MLB average is 11.5% (among QS). Utilizing his curveball on 44.0% of pitches thrown this season; the highest rate in the majors among qualifiers this season. Morton’s 1061 strikeouts since the 2018 season are the fourth most in baseball. Prior to the 2018 season, Morton threw his curveball on 21% of pitches throughout his career. Since the beginning of 2018 he has thrown his curve on 37% of pitches. Morton’s 32% swing and miss rate is the fourth highest among qualifiers in the NL. Teammate Spencer Strider leads league with a rate of 40.1% In his age 39 season, Morton is the sixth-oldest active pitcher in the majors.

2023 Recap

• Struckout 10 New York (AL) hitters through 6.0 scoreless frames on August 16. At age 39 years and 277 days old, Morton joined Hall-of-Famers Phil Niekro and John Smotlz as the only pitchers of that age or older in Braves franchise to fan at least 10 hitters while tossing 6.0 shutout innings. Held New York (NL) to three hits and seven walks over 5.0 scoreless innings with four strikeouts on August 11. Joined Jack Flaherty and Dylan Cease as the only players in the majors this year to toss 5.0 shutout innings while issuing at least seven walks and get the win. Became just the sixth player in Braves franchise history to do so. Morton is one six active pitchers with at least 15 starts in 13 different seasons. Trails only Zack Greinke (17), Clayton Kershaw (15), Justin Verlander (15), Max Scherzer (14), and Cole Hamels (14). Morton struck out Miami’s Bryan De La Cruz for 1,800 on his career. Is now one of 13 acitve pitchers in baseball with as many punchouts. Became the sixth pitcher in franchise history to pitch at least 6.0 innings and strikeout nine or more in an outing at age 39 or older. Passed R.A. Dickey and Hall-of-Famer Cy Young with three such games. Trails Hall-of-Famers Phil Niekro (10), John Smoltz (8), and Warren Spahn (4). Struck out 10 hitters over 6.2 scoreless innings in his win against Texas on May 15. Has now struckout at least 10 hitters in eight games since turning 38, passing Hall-of-Famer Cy Young for the ninth most such games dating to 1901.

COLORADO ROCKIES NOTES:

A MILE HIGH

• The Colorado Rockies play the second of a three-game set against Atlanta tonight … will face Toronto Friday-Sunday, the Blue Jays’ first trip to Coors Field since 2019 … Colorado is in a stretch of eight-straight opponents with a record of .500 or better. The Rockies are coming off a 1-5 road trip to Tampa Bay (0-3) and Baltimore (1-2) … four of five losses were by two or fewer runs … snapped a streak of 10 consecutive road losses with a win on Sunday.

BE BRAVE

• The Rockies were swept in a four-game set in Atlanta June 15-18 and were outscored 40-12 in the set … marked their first time getting swept in Atlanta since July 29-Aug. 1, 2013 … gave up 49 hits and 12 home runs in the series. The Rockies have lost 11 of their last 12 against the Braves and were also swept in a four-game set the last time Atlanta visited Denver June 2-5, 2022 … the last time the Rockies won a series against Atlanta was a two-game sweep Sept. 14-15, 2021. For the second consecutive game against Atlanta, the Rockies allowed exactly 18 hits and 14 runs.

ESPRIT DE CORPS

• The Rockies have used a franchise record 33 total pitchers this season, two more than the 2019 club’s 31 hurlers … the Rockies have also tied the franchise record by using 15 different starting pitchers this season, tied with the 1993 and 2014 clubs for the most starters used in franchise history. The Rockies have used 55 total players, tying a franchise record set in 2011. Left-hander Evan Justice made his Major League debut on Saturday and infielder/outfielder Hunter Goodman debuted Sunday, the seventh and eighth Rockies players this season to make their debut.

GOOD(MAN) SHOWING

• Hunter Goodman went 2-for-4 with an RBI in his MLB debut Sunday … followed it up with another 2-for-4 performance with a double and an RBI in his Coors Field debut last night … he is the 10th Rockie in franchise history to have four or more hits in his first two games in the Majors … the last to do so was Rafael Ynoa who had four hits between Sept. 1-2, 2014. Goodman is also the third Rockie ever to have at least two hits and one RBI in each of his first two MLB games … the others on that list are Todd Helton (Aug. 2-3, 1997) and Jeff Salazar (Sept. 7-8, 2006) … no Rockie has ever had two hits and an RBI in each of their first three Major League games.

WE TALK TO OUR GUYS

• 22-year-old Ezequiel Tovar hit his 15th home run of the season Friday in Baltimore, the fifth rookie in franchise history to hit 15 home runs in a season, joining Wilin Rosario (28, 2012), Trevor Story (27, 2016), Todd Helton (25, 1998) and Troy Tulowitzki (24, 2007). Tovar’s 119 hits are the seventh-most by a rookie in franchise history, the most since Nolan Arenado’s 130 hits in 2013 … his 61 RBI rank sixth by a rookie, the most since Story in 2016 (72 RBI). Nolan Jones is tied for seventh among rookies in franchise history with 13 home runs … his 19.62 at-bats per home run rate ranks fourth among rookies in franchise history (min. 200 PA), trailing Trevor Story (13.78, 2016), Wilin Rosario (14.14, 2012) and Jose Ortiz (15.69, 2001). Tovar and Jones are the third pair of rookies in franchise history to each hit at least 10 home runs in a season, joining Luis Gonzalez/Matt Holliday (2004) and Garrett Atkins/Clint Barmes (2005) … they are the only pair to hit at least 13 home runs.

GOLDEN

• Ryan McMahon’s 18 defensive runs saved are tied for the fourth-most in the Majors and are the second-most among all third basemen. Rookie shortstop Ezequiel Tovar’s eight DRS are tied for the sixth-most among all shortstops, tied for fourth in the NL … his .987 fielding percentage is tied with Troy Tulowitzki (.987, 2007) for the best fielding percentage by a rookie shortstop in Major League history (min. 100 games) (via. STATS PERFORM). Rookie center fielder Brenton Doyle’s 11 defensive runs saved on the season are the most among all NL center fielders … his 95.8 MPH average arm strength ranks eighth among all outfielders and first among center fielders … Doyle’s active 92-game errorless streak is the second-longest by a rookie in Rockies history behind Matt Reynold’s 94 games from 2010-11, and is the second-longest active streak in the NL. Rookie outfielder Nolan Jones has totaled four DRS in the outfield while starting 31 games in right field and 28 in left … his average arm strength of 98.9 MPH is the best among all position players. Jones’ 11 outfield assists are the second-most in baseball and the most among all rookies … the most by a Rockies rookie outfielder in franchise history and the 12th most in a season by any Rockies outfielder.

20 ROCKIES STARTING PITCHER PETER LAMBERT RHP

MEET PETE

• Peter Lambert makes his ninth start of the season tonight, his 23rd appearance … recalled on July 21, his third stint on the active roster this season … recalled the first time April 18 but optioned the following day without making an appearance … recalled a second time May 4 before being optioned on July 2. Native of San Dimas, Calif., selected by Colorado in the second round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of San Dimas High School. Brother Jimmy pitches for the Chicago White Sox … have appeared in the same game in the Major Leagues.

LAST TIME OUT

• Tossed five innings against Tampa Bay on Aug. 24 at Tropicana Field, allowing two runs on four hits, one home run, one walk and one hit batter … fanned a season-high six, his most since July 23, 2019 (8 SO at Washington). Three consecutive starts with three or fewer runs allowed since Aug. 12 … 1-1 in those starts with a 3.00 ERA over 18 innings pitched. A.T.L. Has made one career appearance against the Braves, a relief appearance on June 16 in Atlanta … threw two scoreless innings and walked one in the no-decision. In nine career appearances (five starts) against the NL East, is 2-1 with a 4.37 ERA (35.0 IP, 17 ER) … six of the appearances have come this season with two of them being starts … allowed one or fewer runs in five of those contests.

THAT’S A RELIEF

• Has made 14 relief appearances and eight starts across his three stints with the Rockies this season. Made his season debut on May 10 at Pittsburgh, his first Major League appearance since Sept. 29, 2021 and the first relief appearance in his professional career. Made a spot-start for the Rockies in a bullpen game on July 1 before becoming a mainstay in the rotation on July 21 … 2-3 with a 3.38 ERA (40.0 IP, 15 ER) as a starter this season. Did not allow an earned run across his first three starts of the season July 1-26, the only pitcher in baseball during July to start at least three games and not surrender an earned run … his .163 average against was the fourth-lowest in baseball during July, the second-lowest in the NL.

TURN DOWN SERVICE

• Has gone 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA (40.0 IP, 16 ER) in 11 road appearances (five starts) this season … has posted a 3.48 ERA (20.2 IP, 8 ER) in his five road starts, walking seven and striking out 19 while limiting opponents to a .221 average. in three starts at Coors Field this season, is 1-1 with a 3.14 ERA (14.1 IP, 5
  ER) … tossed seven shutout frames against the White Sox on Aug. 18, his most recent start at home.

OH WHAT A NIGHT

• Pitched a career-high tying seven innings on Aug. 18 vs. the White Sox at home, earning his third win of the season … allowed one run on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts … surrendered a home run to Elvis Andrus on the first pitch of the game. Longest start since pitching seven innings in his Major League debut, June 6, 2019 at Chicago-NL. became one of only three Rockies starters in history to give up a leadoff home run as their only run allowed at home in an outing of seven or more frames, the first since Jason Hammel on April 30, 2011 vs. Pittsburgh.