Rockies’ awful April continues as they fall to 4-24 with 15th loss in 16 games

DENVER — Rockies Report, Game 28:

ROCKIES BOTTOM LINE: This time, the Rockies took a lead before returning to the form that has defined them during this miserable month.

Hunter Goodman raised hopes that Colorado’s awful April could end with an upturn after crushing a Bryce Elder offering into the left-field seats to give the Rockies a 3-0 first-inning lead.

But that was it as the Rockies could muster no more against the previously beleaguered Elder. Meanwhile Atlanta picked away at Ryan Feltner, moved in front in the fifth inning and then cruised home with three scoreless innings from its bullpen to hand the Rockies their 15th defeat in 16 games, this one by a 6-3 count in front of 18,852 at Coors Field.

The Rockies’ frustration was summed up in the fifth inning, when Atlanta’s fifth run came home on a 2-RBI double that saw the throw from the outfield carom off the batting helmet of Michael Harris II that fell as he barreled into second base.

Every Atlanta player in its starting lineup had a hit. Jordan Beck stayed hot for the Rox, going 2-for-4.

STARTER’S REPORT: Feltner, who was scratched from Sunday’s start, cruised through the first two innings, allowing just one Atlanta baserunner, but fell into a spot of bother in the third, and while he avoided the big blast from any of the Braves’ power hitters, he eventually was undone by dinks and dunks that chased him before he could get through five innings.

The Braves tagged Feltner for a pair of third-inning runs on Alex Verdugo’s RBI single to left field and Marcell Ozuna’s sacrifice fly to deep right field.

But it was back-to-back singles that didn’t even reach the pitchers mound in the fourth inning that extended the frame and tied the score, and two singles and the aforementioned Harris double that ultimately ended his night in the fifth.

“Some paper cuts, for sure,” manager Bud Black said.

The 10 hits allowed by Feltner were a season-high.

IT WAS DECIDED FOR THE ROCKIES WHEN: Jordan Beck and Ryan McMahon both reached base to open the bottom of the eighth, but could advance no further as Hunter Godman, Michael Toglia and Mickey Moniak went down in order.

WHAT’S NEXT: Germán Márquez looks for his first win of the season and for a bounce-back performance after surrendering at least five earned runs in each of his last three starts, during which his ERA has ballooned from 2.45 to 9.30. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. MDT.

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