Grant Holmes fans a career-high 15, but the Braves' bats fall silent in a 10-1 loss to the Rockies on June 16, 2025. A historic pitching gem wasted.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of dizzying highs and crushing lows for Braves Country. On Sunday, Grant Holmes put on a pitching clinic for the ages, fanning a career-high 15 Rockies. Yet, as the final out was recorded, the scoreboard at Truist Park told a different, much uglier story: a 10-1 loss to close out the series. It's the kind of game that leaves you scratching your head, a spectacular individual effort completely overshadowed by a team-wide failure.
The Braves' pitching staff recorded 35 strikeouts over the last two games, just one shy of the MLB record for a two-game span set in 1986.
For six innings, it felt like we were watching history unfold. Grant Holmes was simply untouchable. He carved through the Rockies' lineup with surgical precision, racking up an incredible 15 strikeouts. Every pitch seemed to have a purpose, leaving Colorado hitters flailing. It was a career-best performance and the kind of dominant start that signals a pitcher has truly arrived. Through 6 1/3 innings, he had allowed just three runs (two earned), a line that should have put the Braves in a prime position to win.
While Holmes was dealing, the Braves' offense was unfortunately taking the day off. Rockies starter Austin Gomber held Atlanta's powerful lineup completely in check, pitching five scoreless innings. The Braves managed a paltry two hits through the first five frames, unable to generate any momentum or provide their starter with an ounce of support. The team's lone run didn't come until the sixth inning, far too little and far too late to change the course of the game.
The game completely unraveled in the seventh. After Holmes departed, a go-ahead homer from Ryan McMahon opened the floodgates. The bullpen, specifically Aaron Bummer, couldn't stop the bleeding. A six-run inning for Colorado, punctuated by a Jordan Beck two-run double and a Braxton Fulford three-run triple, turned a competitive game into a blowout. There was one incredible silver lining, however. The pitching staff's combined 35 strikeouts over the weekend series fell just one shy of the MLB record for a two-game span. It's a testament to the arms, but a painful reminder of what could have been.
After Sunday's frustrating finale, Monday's scheduled off day probably couldn't have come at a better time. The team was quiet, with no roster moves or major announcements, giving everyone a chance to reset. And they'll need it. Starting Tuesday, the Braves welcome the New York Mets to Truist Park for a massive three-game series. These divisional games always carry extra weight, and Atlanta will look to get back on track immediately. Spencer Schwellenbach is slated to take the mound in the opener, followed by the ace, Chris Sale, in game two.
The loss to the Rockies stings, especially given Holmes' masterpiece on the mound. But baseball is a game of short memories. The focus now shifts entirely to the Mets. The Braves need their offense to wake up and support their stellar starting pitching. A series win against a division rival would be the perfect way to erase the bad taste of Sunday's game and build momentum for the week ahead. Let's hope the bats come alive on Tuesday.
