ATLANTA -- A pitcher is having a pleasant year when giving up two earned runs is deemed a start they aren't proud of. That was the case for Max Fried in the Braves' 3-2 loss to the Rockies on Tuesday at Truist Park.

The 28-year-old allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits over five innings, snapping a six-game streak of quality starts. Fried, who won a Gold Glove in 2021, committed his first error of the season, and it led to the third and final run for the Rockies.

"I definitely was grinding out there," Fried said. "Sometimes you feel really good, and you have your stuff and you're sharp, and other days you're not. Tonight, I wasn't all that sharp.

"[I'm] just more frustrated that the guys came out, gave us a lead early and I gave it up. Then field the PFP, something that I do all the time, I wasn't able to get it done, and it led to a run that cost the game. I think when you look back at it, just more of the little things that help win you ballgames, I didn't really do well tonight."

Fried's curveball has been his money pitch all season, and even when it's a rough night, the Cy Young candidate has leaned on it. He threw his fastball and curveball 35 times a piece against Colorado and had an average exit velocity of 82.7 mph against his fastball and 95.5 mph against his curveball.

"I think it was just one of those days," Fried said. "Curveball’s kind of the only pitch that was keeping me in it. It was a competitive pitch, and I felt like it was going [right] when my back was up against the wall, kind of a pitch that I leaned on."

Although the result wasn't what Fried had hoped, the Braves’ rotation remains in mint condition. Fried (2.56), Kyle Wright (2.99) and Spencer Strider (2.87) all hold ERAs below 3.00, marking the first time since 1997 that Atlanta has had three consecutive starts by pitchers with sub-3.00 ERAs this late in the season, per Elias. Greg Maddux (2.33), Denny Neagle (2.83) and John Smoltz (2.89) started Sept. 1-3 games against the Tigers that season.

The Braves’ offense provided minimal support for the left-hander, scoring just two runs and going 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position while leaving 10 runners on base. The team is 6-for-30 with RISP over its last three contests.

"[If] we score some runs, then we're looking at Max going, '[He] didn't have his great stuff, but he figured out a way to win it,'" manager Brian Snitker said. "We couldn't get anything going offensively for him, and it's OK to throw five innings and get the win, too. But it just didn't happen. He'll regroup and get out there and be strong as ever on Sunday."

But the bullpen picked up the slack without missing a beat. Four relievers tossed a clean inning to keep the Braves within one through the final four innings of the game, though Atlanta's offense couldn't get the big hit.

"Fantastic," Fried said about the bullpen's performance. "I was out after five, and for them to come in, throw strikes, attack and keep us there, they did their job and some. Can't give them enough credit."

As the bullpen continues to improve down the stretch, it will get a familiar face back beyond the outfield wall, as the Braves claimed Jesse Chavez off waivers from the Angels.

The right-hander holds his own on the bump, but more importantly, the veteran pitcher keeps the bullpen focused and loose.

"I think we're always glad to get Jesse back," manager Brian Snitker said. "Every time he's been through here and been a part of this club, you like having a guy that's that versatile. ... He's one of the greatest teammates you'll ever have on top of that. He's done a really good job for us, so I'm happy to get him back."

The Braves are on a three-game losing streak, but fans worrying about this stretch can take a breath knowing that the team is ramping up for the playoffs. Ronald Acuña Jr. has taken four consecutive off-days to nurse his right knee, but he’s ready to go at any time. Players that could prove helpful down the stretch are nearing returns or rehab assignments, including Ozzie Albies. The team holds an eight-game lead for a National League Wild Card Spot while trailing the Mets by just three games for first place in the NL East race.