Colorado @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 4, 2011 ) Colorado 1, Atlanta 4

THE STORY: The Atlanta Braves have won seven of their last 10 games, but remain four games behind the NL East-leading Phillies. The Braves, who play the second of a four-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday at Turner Field, became the third major league team to win 50 games, joining Philadelphia and the New York Yankees. Colorado has lost seven of 10 and has fallen 6 ½ games behind San Francisco in the NL West.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT, FSS

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jhoulys Chacin (8-5, 3.10 ERA) vs. Braves RH Derek Lowe (4-6, 4.16 ERA).

Chacin is coming off his worst start of the season, as he allowed six runs and nine hits – three of them home runs – in a loss to the Chicago Cubs that snapped his three-game winning streak. Chacin had allowed only three earned runs in the four previous starts and struck out 25 over that 26 2/3-inning stretch. His ERA (4.01) suffers away from Coors Field. This will be his first career appearance against Atlanta.

Lowe broke a nine-game winless streak by beating Seattle in his last start. He gave up only one run and four hits in six innings against the Mariners, his first victory since May 6. Opponents who make contact with Lowe’s first pitch are usually successful; they’re batting .455 (15-for-33). Lowe has struggled at home with a 5.03 ERA. He’s 9-8 with a 4.37 ERA in 20 previous starts against the Rockies.

ABOUT THE ROCKIES (41-44): Carlos Gonzalez was out of the lineup Monday because he was unable to swing a bat. The injured right wrist isn’t bad enough to put him on the DL, but could keep him idle until the All-Star Game. He hurt it while running into the fence against the Royals on Sunday. Ryan Spilborghs took his place in center field and Charlie Blackmon moved into the leadoff slot. They were a combined 0-for-7 on Monday. Ty Wiggington is only 3-for-18 over the last five games. Chris Iannetta is only 3-for-22 over the last seven games. Reliever Matt Reynolds has allowed three home runs, all on the road.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (50-36): Freddie Freeman hit his first homer since June 27 and had the first multi-home run game of his career. His 11 homers lead NL rookies. Jason Heyward has driven in only four runs in his last 13 games and has 21 for the season. Closer Craig Kimbrel has 25 saves and is one away from matching the rookie record for most saves prior to the All-Star Game. Reliever Jonny Venters pitched for the first time since June 29, his longest period of inactivity, and threw a scoreless inning. Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez, fearing Venters was starting to wear down because of overuse, opted not to use the lefty in the Baltimore series.

FINAL PITCH: Chipper Jones had a cortisone shot in his gimpy right knee after Sunday’s game and did not play on Monday. He is hoping to be back in the lineup on Tuesday.