Atlanta 9, Colorado 8: Moscoso, Rockies Squander Early 5 Run Lead in Extra Inning Loss

Edgmer Escalona (0-1) allowed a 2 run homer to Erik Hinske in the top of the 11th (pictured above) and the Braves held on for a win against the Rockies despite a rally in the bottom half of the 11th. It was Colorado's first Friday loss of the year

The night started out with great promise for Colorado, as the Rockies went through the lineup in the first inning, scoring 5 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. At that point in the game, Colorado had an 88% chance of winning. Unfortunately, the Rockies couldn't muster much offense beyond the first, adding only 4 hits and 3 runs in the next 10 innings.

Jonathan Herrera (?!?) led Colorado on offense, going 2-3 with a double, a solo homer (2), 2 walks, and 3 runs. Todd Helton was 2-6 with 3 RBI while Dexter Fowler added a hit and 2 RBI. Defensively, Todd Helton saved two runs in the 10th with a diving stop, while Wilin Rosario (playing 3rd base!) made a fantastic play on his 1st chance at the hot corner in the 11th (gif after the jump).

In his 2nd start in a Rockies uniform, Guillermo Moscoso -- who was handed the precious gift of a 5 run first inning lead -- couldn't even make it through the 5th inning, lasting only 4.1 IP and allowing 6 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks, striking out 5. Outside of Matt Reynolds and Escalona, every Rockies reliever put up goose-eggs despite allowing a boatload of base-runners.

To be fair, most of the damage did come in the 5th -- after Michael Bourn's apparent failed bunt attempt was called foul by the umpires after initially being ruled fair. Instead of having nobody on and 2 out, Bourn singled, stole 2nd (advancing to 3rd on a throwing error by Ramon Hernandez), and then the Braves got 5 more hits in the inning to knot up the score. The Braves and Rockies traded runs in the 6th to make it 7-7, where it remained until the 11th.

In the game, Atlanta pounded out 19 hits to Colorado's 8, so we should probably be happy that it was as close as it was, but then again, it's tough because the Rockies had such a nice early advantage. We'll get 'em tomorrow.

Source: FanGraphs

We Salute: Herrera (.309 WPA), Rafael Betancourt (.157), Josh Roenicke (.157), Rex Brothers (.118)

We Are Disappointed In: Escalona (-.387), Moscoso (-.245), Carlos Gonzalez (-.223), Michael Cuddyer (-.169), Reynolds (-.144), Non-defensive Rosario (-.121)

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Bonus: Rosario at 3rd, thanks to Andrew Martin

via i.imgur.com

Awesome.