The Colorado Rockies Carlos Gonzalez went 5 for 5 last night in a high scoring game in Atlanta that the Braves managed to win in extra innings. Gonzalez is .444 with 2 HR's and 6 RBI's in eight career games in Atlanta and the Braves pitching staff must find a way to make Gonzalez a priority out tonight. Atlanta will start Alex Wood 0-2 3.42 ERA in replacement for Paul Maholm who is sidelined with injury. Wood allowed four Earned Runs in four Innings Pitched in last outing vs. New York Mets. Brandon Beachy unfortunately did not have the outing Braves fans were hoping for last night falling behind early and Wood now has the challenge tonight of facing a Colorado squad that peppered hits all over the field in the early innings last night. Nicasio is 6-4 4.40 ERA for Colorado and seeks his third straight win tonight. Nicasio has only allowed one Run and eight Hits in 19 Innings Pitched since July 12. Nicasio is 0-2 7.53 ERA career vs. Atlanta however and has not faced the Braves since 2011. Freddie Freeman has 2 HR's a double and a triple vs. Nicasio but Freeman is only 4 for 26 with one HR in last seven games. Simmons is 7 for 13 with 5 RBI's in last three games including the game winning triple last night. Johnson is .462 in a seven games hit streak as well. Atlanta now on a four game win streak but Carlos Gonzalez has done some major damage in the past and will be a threat at every plate appearance tonight. Atlanta pitching cannot afford to play trial and error with Gonzalez and must somehow keep Gonzalez from having another big offensive night tonight. Souce: ESPN MLB Preview.
