Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Germán Márquez (48) delivers a pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan) 
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver (32) delivers a pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan) 
Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna (20) hits into a ground out in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan) 
Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon (24) throws to first base for an out in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan) 
Colorado Rockies shortstop Alan Trejo (31) smiles after fielding three outs in the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan) 
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) throws to first base for an out in the third inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan) 
Colorado Rockies’ Mickey Moniak (22) and Michael Toglia (4) celebrate after a home run by Toglia in the second inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan) 
Colorado Rockies shortstop Alan Trejo (31) throws to first base for the first out of the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan) 
Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies (1) runs to second base after a fielding error by Colorado Rockies right fielder Mickey Moniak (22) in the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan) 
Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna (20) breaks his bat on a pitch in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan) 
Colorado Rockies second baseman Kyle Farmer (6) falls to the ground in the second inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)
DENVER | Matt Olson had a season-high three hits, Michael Harris II drove in three runs and the Atlanta Braves defeated Colorado 8-2 on Tuesday night for the Rockies 16th loss in 17 games.
Austin Riley and Nick Allen had two RBIs apiece while Eli White had a pair of extra-base hits — a triple and a double — for the Braves, who have won nine of their past 11 games after a 5-13 start.
The loss was the Rockies’ eighth in a row. It’s the first time in franchise history that Colorado has gone 1-16 over a 17-game stretch.
At 4-25, the Rockies became just the third MLB team since 1901 to lose at least 25 of its first 29 games of the season, joining the 2003 Detroit Tigers and the 1988 Baltimore Orioles.
On the same day he was recalled to Atlanta, AJ Smith-Shawver (1-2) gave up two earned runs and struck out five across 5 1/3 innings to earn his second career win. After throwing 59 pitches, 46 for strikes, the 22-year-old right-hander was pulled from the game in the sixth inning after getting hit on his throwing elbow by a sharp line drive from Ryan McMahon.
Germán Márquez (0-5) took the loss for Colorado, giving up 11 hits and seven earned runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Key moment
A two-out single from Allen drove in two runs, capping off a three-run fourth inning for Atlanta and extending its lead to 5-1.
Key stat
Since throwing six shutout innings against the Philadelphia Phillies in his first start of the season, Márquez has allowed 25 earned runs in 15 2/3 innings, ballooning his season ERA to 9.82.
Up next
Rookie RHP Chase Dollander (1-3, 7.91 ERA) and Colorado will take on LHP Chris Sale (1-2, 5.40) and visiting Atlanta Wednesday afternoon in the teams’ series finale.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb