ATLANTA -- Struggling to command his fastball and find a feel for any of his secondary pitches, Sean Newcomb was fortunate to get through five innings. But instead of simply taking advantage of this good fortune, the Braves opted to double down in an attempt to protect what should have been a fully stocked bullpen.
Braves manager Brian Snitker's unsuccessful gamble on Newcomb's ability to get through the bottom of the order proved costly during the sixth inning of Friday night's 11-5 loss to the Rockies at SunTrust Park. A manageable two-run deficit quickly tripled on a night when Kyle Freeland showed why he's been one of the National League's most reliable starters over the past two months.