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(Sports Network) - The Colorado Rockies have an opportunity to sweep a four- game series from the Atlanta Braves for the first time ever when the teams square off again this afternoon at Coors Field.

The defending National League champion Rockies appear to have overcome a rough start to their 2008 campaign at the expense of the struggling Braves. After winning just one of its first six games to open the season, Colorado has taken three straight contests from Atlanta and cruised to a 12-6 decision over the Braves on Wednesday.

The Rockies' slumping offense broke out in a big way last night, as the team racked up 13 hits and erupted for six runs off Braves starter Chuck James in the third inning to build a big early lead.

Ryan Spilborghs and Yorvit Torrealba each belted three-run homers for Colorado, with Spilborghs compiling three hits, five RBI and three runs scored and Torrealba finishing 3-for-4 with four runs batted in. Matt Holliday added a pair of RBI and Willy Taveras scored three times in the rout.

Prior to Wednesday's outburst, the Rockies had scored just 16 runs in their first eight games. Colorado ranked second in the NL with 860 runs scored during last year's breakthrough season.

Mark Redman (1-1) was the beneficiary of Colorado's offensive eruption, as the veteran lefty earned the win after giving up three runs -- two earned -- in five innings.

James, activated off the disabled list prior to the game, was shelled for six runs on five hits and lasted just three innings, although he did record five strikeouts.

Atlanta has now lost seven of its last nine games at Coors Field.

The Braves send out stopper Tim Hudson today in hopes of averting a series sweep. The competitive right-hander is coming off a win in his last start, an outing in which Hudson allowed three runs on six hits in six innings of work against the New York Mets this past Saturday.

He was better in his season debut back on March 30, limiting Washington to two runs and just three hits over seven outstanding innings despite not factoring in the decision of a 3-2 Braves' loss.

Hudson owns a 3-2 career record with a 4.65 earned run average in five career games against Colorado. However, Coors Field has been a nightmare for the sinker specialist, as he has been rocked for 13 runs and 19 hits in a combined nine innings during two previous starts -- both losses -- in Denver.

Jeff Francis will toe the rubber for the Rockies in the finale and attempts to put a miserable last start behind him. The usually reliable left-hander served up 12 hits, including three homers, that led to five Arizona runs in a 6 1/3- inning stint at Coors Field last Friday. Francis ended up with the loss as Colorado dropped its 2008 home opener to the Diamondbacks by an 8-1 count.

The native Canadian wasn't any better in an Opening Day start at St. Louis that wound up not counting because the game was postponed due to rain in the third inning. In that game Francis let up five runs and issued five walks in just 2 1/3 innings.

Francis, a 17-game winner for the Rockies during last years NL championship season, is 3-2 in five lifetime appearances versus the Braves but has recorded a 6.49 ERA over that stretch. He did defeat Atlanta with six innings of one- run ball at Coors Field last August, however, striking out eight without a walk in that contest.