The Atlanta Braves swarmed the Colorado Rockies on Monday night, putting up a commanding 14-4 win, but it was the Rockies’ young first baseman, Hunter Goodman, who seized the spotlight amidst the defeat.
Goodman, who made his second start at first base, displayed his burgeoning talent by going 2 for 4 at the plate, including a timely RBI double in the fourth inning that tied the game at 2-2. He also demonstrated his defensive prowess in the top of the second, grounding out Kevin Millar for the final out. The resilience of this rookie in his second game against a red-hot Braves team is commendable.
The Braves, however, were relentless. In the top of the second, Austin Riley hit his 22nd homer of the season, taking the lead 2-1. The Rockies responded in the bottom of the fourth, when Goodman, with two outs and a man on first, hit a blooper double, securing an RBI and tying the game at 2-2.
Despite the Rockies’ efforts, the Braves took control in the top of the fifth inning when Ronald Acuna Jr. crushed his 29th home run of the season, scoring Michael Harris III and reclaiming a 4-2 lead.
Goodman’s next chance at-bat came in the bottom of the sixth with one out. Despite his best efforts, he was struck out on a slider outside of the zone. The Rockies trailed 5-4 heading into the top of the seventh, where the Braves extended their lead to 9-4.
Goodman’s final plate appearance of the night came in the bottom of the eighth, with a man on first and two outs. Unfortunately, Goodman was caught looking at a fastball down and away for a called strike, ending his night at the plate.
The Braves then put the game out of reach in the top of the ninth, scoring five runs and taking a commanding 14-4 lead into the bottom of the ninth. Despite the Rockies’ loss, Goodman’s performance shines a promising light on the future of the team.
Goodman’s skills at the plate demonstrated that he has power in his swing and precision that is both compact and fast. This young talent is proving to be a solid investment for the Rockies, and his performance tonight only solidifies that he is indeed the future of the franchise. Rockies fans have every reason to be excited about what’s to come.
Despite the loss, the Rockies can hold their heads high knowing they have a rising star in Goodman. His showing tonight proved that he has the ability to perform under pressure, and his talent will undoubtedly continue to grow with each game. If tonight was any indication, Goodman’s future in the MLB looks bright indeed.
‘
