Colorado @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2011 ) Colorado 3, Atlanta 5

THE STORY: Atlanta sends All-Star pitcher Jair Jurrjens to the mound in pursuit of its third straight win as the Braves host the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday in the third game of a four-game series. The Braves, who are 28-2 when scoring five or more runs, have won eight of 10 and are 7-1 on their homestand. The Rockies have lost three straight and dropped seven of their last 10.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Aaron Cook (0-3, 4.66 ERA) vs. Braves RH Jair Jurrjens (11-3, 1.89).

Cook is coming off his best start of the season, a six-inning stint against the White Sox when he allowed one run. Cook has struggled with control, allowing 13 walks and striking out only 12 in 29 innings. Expect the Braves to load the lineup with left-handed batters, who are hitting .380 against Cook. Despite his troubles, Cook has not allowed a home run this season. The veteran is 1-1 with a 4.55 ERA in nine career starts against Atlanta. Jurrjens is coming off his first career shutout, a one-hitter against Baltimore. Since a pair of hiccups in early June, Jurrjens has regained the form that allowed him to become the first National League starter to reach 11 wins. In the last three games, Jurrjens has allowed only two runs and 12 hits over 20 1/3 innings (0.88 ERA). Jurrjens is 4-1 with a 4.02 ERA in seven career starts against Colorado.

ABOUT THE ROCKIES (41-45): Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who injured his right quadriceps Monday, isn’t expected to be available until Thursday at the earliest. He left the game when the muscle tightened after he grounded into a double play. Jonathan Herrera moved from second base to shortstop and is 3-for-7 since making the shift. Charlie Blackmon, who played college baseball at Georgia Tech, has batted leadoff for two straight games as Carlos Gonzalez rests his injured wrists and is 1-for-9 with an RBI. Mark Ellis is 11-for-22 with four multi-hit games since joining the club five games ago after a trade with Oakland.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (51-36): Dan Uggla had a double and home run Tuesday, marking the first time he’s had two extra base hits in the same game since June 18 when he doubled twice against the Rangers. Closer Craig Kimbrel hasn’t walked a batter in his last nine outings and picked up his 26th save Tuesday, which tied a major league record for most saves by a rookie prior to the All-Star Game. Wilkin Ramirez is 3-for-3 as a pinch-hitter. Atlanta has not committed an error over the last eight games.

FINAL PITCH: The Rockies activated infielder Ian Stewart and optioned rookie Cole Garner to Triple A Colorado Springs. Stewart started at third base on Tuesday and went 0-for-3.