Atlanta Braves Clippings

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Braves.com

Braves fall to Rox on walk-off, Grilli hurt

By Dargan Southard and Mark Bowman / MLB.com | 19 minutes ago

DENVER -- Carlos Gonzalez blooped a walk-off single off reliever Mike Foltynewicz in the ninth inning to give the Rockies a series-clinching 3-2 victory over Atlanta on Saturday afternoon at Coors Field.

Foltynewicz came in for David Aardsma, who entered in the ninth after Braves closer Jason Grilli (3-4) suffered a season-ending ruptured left Achilles tendon while trying to cover the bag on Drew Stubbs' chopper to first. Aardsma then plunked Charlie Blackmon and walked Troy Tulowitzki before being pulled. Gonzalez's game-winner -- which fell in front of a charging Cameron Maybin and a backpedalling Andrelton Simmons -- made a winner out of LaTroy Hawkins (2-1), who tossed a scoreless top of the ninth.

"I really haven't had time to digest it," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said when asked his thoughts about the ball falling between Simmons and Maybin. "In my mind, I was thinking more about what was going on with Grilli."

Gonzalez handed the Rockies an early 2-0 lead with a long first-inning homer off rookie Matt Wisler, which was projected by Statcast™ to land 441 feet away. But the Braves answered right back with two long balls of their own off left-hander Jorge De La Rosa. Juan Uribe took the first crack with a solo homer in the second, and Ryan Lavarnway followed suit with opposite-field long ball -- his first homer since Sept. 4, 2013.

But Gonzalez's late-game heroics gave the Rockies their first three-game winning streak since June 20-23, as well as a chance at their first sweep since taking all three games at Philadelphia in late May.

"I'm proud of our guys -- it's been a tough run," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "We talked about not trying to sprint to the All-Star break. The All-Star break will get here when it gets here, but there can be a tendency to look forward to that four-day break. It's only natural, but I just reminded them that we need to keep our foot on the gas. And that's what we did today."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Unfazed Rookie: Gonzalez's first-inning homer did not rattle Wisler, who displayed good composure as he surrendered just the two earned runs over six innings in his Coors Field experience. The highly-regarded prospect pitched around three doubles and used his slider to record four of his career-high seven strikeouts. He notched consecutive three-pitch strikeouts against Tulowitzki and Gonzalez to end the third inning.

"I think that was probably the best I've felt this year in terms of keeping the ball down in the zone and mixing speeds," Wisler said. "My slider was good tonight. The homer was just bad location. I was trying to get it above his hands and I just left it right where he could get to it."

Quality Jorge: Aside from the two homers, De La Rosa was solid again. Six of his seven strikeouts came against the Braves' top four hitters in the lineup, and Atlanta managed just three runners into scoring position against the left-hander. In total, De La Rosa gave up two runs over six innings and now has a 2.97 ERA over his last 10 outings -- seven of which have been "quality" starts (at least six innings pitched with three earned runs or less given up).

"My command was good the whole game," De La Rosa said. "I think I made just one mistake to Uribe. The other [homer] was a good pitch down and away. My changeup and my cutter were good today."

Rafael helps out Rex: After Rex Brothers struggled in his 2015 MLB debut -- he threw 15 pitches (four strikes), walked two and uncorked a wild pitch -- Rafael Betancourt was asked to clean up the seventh-inning mess in a 2-2 game. The 40-year-old veteran did just that with the go-ahead run on second, retiring Maybin on a flyout to left and Pedro Ciriaco on a popout to second. Brothers, meanwhile, was an integral part of the Rockies bullpen in 2013 has struggled mightily with control issues since then.

"To be honest, I was hoping for an easier outing for him as far as first appearance back," Weiss said of Brothers, who arrived in Denver close to an hour before first pitch. "But Rex, he was ready though. I talked about it before the game. I said, 'You might be in the heat right out of the gate.'"

Betancourt gets out of jam

Squandered opportunities: Atlanta stranded nine runners over the final six innings and in the process squandered two bases-loaded threats. Nick Markakis and Chris Johnson opened the eighth inning with consecutive hits but Johnson's inability to stretch a single off the right field wall into a double prevented the Braves from putting runners at second and third with none out. Still they loaded the bases before Simmons flew out to shallow center field and Lavarnway struck out.

QUOTABLE "The only thing I can do to get better is rest, and I have to pitch every five days. It's going to be better in the offseason." -- De La Rosa, on the cut that is on his left middle finger, which has been bothering him for nearly two months

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Saturday was the Braves' fourth multi-homer game in their last 11 contests. They had just nine in their first 77 games this season.

The Braves have scored three runs or less in six of the past seven games they have played at Coors Field dating back to last season. They did so in just 14 of the 74 games played here from 1995-2013.

REPLAY REVIEW A pair of replay reviews added to the excitement during the top of the eighth inning. The Braves were unsuccessful with their challenge that Johnson beat Tulowitzki's tag while attempting to stretch a single into a double.

Two batters later, the Rockies were unsuccessful with their challenge that Markakis did not get back to third base before being tagged by Nolan Arenado.

WHAT'S NEXT Braves: Alex Wood will once again take the mound when Atlanta and Colorado conclude a four-game series on Sunday at 4:10 p.m. ET. Wood threw just two pitches before exiting Thursday's series opener because of a two-hour, six-minute rain delay.

Rockies: Chad Bettis gets the ball in the first-half finale, looking for much better results than his last outing. On Tuesday, he lasted just 2 1/3 innings against the Angels, surrendering eight hits and a career-high 10 runs. First pitch is at 2:10 MT (KOA/Root Sports Rocky Mountain).

Grilli out for season with ruptured left Achilles

Veteran closer injured in 9th inning of Saturday's loss to Rockies

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | 10:10 PM ET

DENVER -- Braves closer Jason Grilli suffered a season-ending left Achillies injury as he attempted to cover first base during the ninth inning of Saturday afternoon's 3-2 loss to the Rockies at Coors Field.

As Grilli fell in the infield grass and remained there until being carted off the field while holding his head between his hands, it was immediately apparent that he had suffered a significant injury. The Braves confirmed the news approximately 30 minutes later, announcing that the 38-year-old closer had ruptured his left Achilles tendon and would miss the remainder of this season.

"[Grilli] is a grinder," Braves left fielder Jonny Gomes said. "The guy is a nomad who has been around. Everything he is about is about hard work and health. That is what has got him here. We just have to hope for the best."

When Drew Stubbs opened the bottom of the ninth inning with a grounder to first baseman Chris Johnson, Grilli took a few strides toward first base before crumpling to the ground in obvious pain.

"I was about to throw him the ball and I saw the look on his face as he was going down," Johnson said. "I was like, 'Oh man, that's not good at all. He just started screaming. It looked pretty darn painful."

Shortly after racing on the field to attend to Grilli as he remained on the ground writhing in pain, Braves head athletic trainer Jeff Porter signaled for the Rockies to bring a cart on the field.

Even after Stubbs ended up scoring the winning run on a Carlos Gonzalez bloop single that fell between Andrelton Simmons and Cameron Maybin in shallow center field, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said his thoughts were with Grilli.

"Him laying on the ground out there like that, it didn't look good," the Braves skipper said. "You could see what kind of pain he was feeling as he was out there on the field."

According to mayoclinic.org, "surgery is often the best option to repair an Achilles tendon rupture. For many people, however, nonsurgical treatment works just as well." It was not immediately known what course of treatment Grilli would undergo.

This unfortunate development literally added injury to insult for the Braves, who have lost four straight games. They will now spend the rest of the season without a closer who had converted 24 of his 26 save opportunities, and approach the non-waiver Trade Deadline without what might have been their best trade chip.

Since assuming the closer's role when Craig Kimbrel was traded the day before Opening Day, Grilli had become the strong leader Atlanta's bullpen needed. Jim Johnson will likely now handle the closing duties, but he might now also stand as the Braves' most attractive trade piece leading into the Trade Deadline.

Missed opportunities prove costly for Braves

Atlanta strands nine runners in one-run loss to Rockies

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | 10:27 PM ET

DENVER -- Moments after seeing their veteran closer Jason Grilli suffer a season-ending ruptured left Achilles tendon on Saturday afternoon at Coors Field, the Braves watched the Rockies complete a 3-2 victory when Carlos Gonzalez's one-out bases-loaded single fell in between Andrelton Simmons and Cameron Maybin.

So along with digesting Grilli's injury and this defensive miscue that resulted in a fourth straight loss, the Braves also had to deal with the fact that they had just stranded nine runners over Saturday's final five innings and consequently wasted the impressive effort provided by their rookie starter Matt Wisler, who allowed two earned runs over six innings during his first Coors Field experience.

"We pitched well and we didn't score runs," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "In this ballpark, when you get those opportunities and don't do it, it will come back to haunt you."

After receiving solo homers from Juan Uribe and Ryan Lavarnway during the first three innings, the Braves managed to waste two bases-loaded scoring threats, including one in the eighth inning that will continue to bother corner infielder Chris Johnson.

Nick Markakis and Johnson opened the eighth with consecutive hits against Rafael Betancourt. But Johnson was thrown out at second base while attempting to record a double on a high fly ball that hit high off the wall in the right field corner. After the game, he admitted he came out of the batter's box slowly because he wasn't sure if the ball would be fair.

"I just got caught looking at it out of the box, you know when it's right down the line you have a tendency to steer it a little bit as you're running," Johnson said. "I wish I could go back and just not look at it and think if it's fair, it's fair and if it's foul, it's foul."

With his mind seemingly focused on Grilli, Gonzalez said he had not had time to look at video to see if Johnson had come out of the box slow.

"If that did happen, then shame on us," said Gonzalez, who saw the eighth inning bases-loaded threat end with Simmons' shallow fly ball and a Lavarnway strikeout.

The inability to take advantage of scoring opportunities prevented the Braves from celebrating the effort provided by Wisler, who surrendered a two-run homer to Carlos Gonzalez in the first inning and then blanked the Rockies over the remainder of his six-inning effort. The 22-year-old rookie used his slider to conclude four of his seven strikeouts.

Wisler credited the success he had with the slider in this thin Rocky Mountain air to the experience he gained while pitching at elevation in the Pacific Coast League last year. The highly-regarded prospect has posted a 3.10 ERA through his first five career starts.

"I've seen some savviness," Fredi Gonzalez said. "He pitches more like a veteran than he does a rookie. That is something that is good to see."

Braves reveal post-All-Star break rotation plans

Miller to get extra rest, Perez set for more rehab starts

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | 3:43 PM ET

DENVER -- Shelby Miller will receive a couple of extra days to rest, Manny Banuelos will make at least one more start and Williams Perez will make a couple of rehab starts before coming off the disabled list.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez revealed these three tidbits on Saturday afternoon, while revealing his rotation plans coming out of the All-Star break.

The Braves have received clear indication that Miller will be scheduled to complete at least one inning during Tuesday night's All-Star Game. Thus, the right-hander will not make his first start after the break until next Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Gonzalez plans to use Julio Teheran (Friday), Banuelos (Saturday) and Miller as his starting pitchers during next weekend's series against the Cubs. Matt Wisler will start the July 20 series opener against the Dodgers and Alex Wood will take the mound the following day.

The Braves want to give Wood a couple of extra days, given he will start the final game before the All-Star break.

Perez posted a 2.27 ERA in eight starts before he was placed on the disabled list with a bruised left foot suffered on June 26 at Pittsburgh. Gonzalez said the rookie right-hander will make at least two rehab starts before being activated.

The Braves have not decided whether Perez will definitely return to the rotation. But there should soon be a spot available because Banuelos is nearing the innings limit that was necessitated because of the fact he threw just 76 1/3 innings while returning from Tommy John surgery last year.

Banuelos has combined to complete 94 2/3 innings between Triple-A Gwinnett and Atlanta this year. There is a chance he could spend the season's final two months in Atlanta's bullpen. But the Braves are not expected to have him total much more than 130 innings this year.

While the Braves still seem intent on allowing Mike Foltynewicz to serve as a starting pitcher after the break, there is a chance they will have him fill this role with Gwinnett. But Foltynewicz will likely remain in Atlanta's bullpen at least until Andrew McKirahan returns. McKirahan will be eligible to return from his 80-game performance-enhancing drug suspension on July 20. Because the rookie left-hander was selected in December's Rule 5 Draft, the Braves will have to immediately place him on their Major League roster or offer him back to the Cubs for $25,000.

Wood to make his second start of series against Rockies

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | 8:23 PM ET

When the Braves and Rockies conclude their four-game series at Coors Field on Sunday afternoon, Atlanta's Alex Wood can only hope that this start proves to be much longer than the one he experienced during Thursday's series opener.

Wood threw just two pitches before a two-hour, six-minute rain delay prevented him from returning once play resumed. Thus, the Braves decided to bring him back three days later and gain the rare opportunity to make two starts in one series.

While there is speculation that the Rockies might trade Troy Tulowitzki or Carlos Gonzalez before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, the Braves might also soon trade some of their veterans. But their plans will be influenced by how successful they are in the games played over the next 10 days.

Things to know about this game

• Wood will be opposed by Rockies right-hander Chad Bettis, who allowed 10 earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings against the Angels on Tuesday. Bettis, who will be looking to give the Rockies a four-game sweep, had posted a 2.84 ERA in the previous five starts he made at Coors Field this year.

• Since pitch counts became an official statistic in 1988, Wood stands as one of 14 Major League pitchers to throw two pitches or less in a start. He is the only Braves pitcher to do so.

• Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado has been one of the most productive hitters in Colorado's lineup over the past month. He homered in one of the two career at-bats he has against Wood.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves quotes after Saturday’s loss to Rockies

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

DENVER — Braves quotes from Chris Johnson, Matt Wisler, Jonny Gomes and Fredi Gonzalez after Saturday’s 3-2 walk-off loss to the Rockies.

**FREDI GONZALEZ

On Jason Grilli’s injury (interview was 30 minutes before announcement of Grilli ruptured Achilles tendon)

“He’s still getting evaluated right now, so I don’t know what the extent of it is. But him laying on the ground like that, it didn’t look good. I don’t think there’s any broken bones, but we’ll see what happens.”

On the game

“We played good baseball. We had opportunities there with (runners at) second and third, or first and third, or bases loaded, and just couldn’t get it done. But we pitched well. We just didn’t score runs, and in this ballpark when you get those opportunities (and don’t cash in) it’ll come back and haunt you.”

On the game-ending single that fell between Simmons and Maybin

“Just a fly ball. Really I haven’t had time to sit down and digest it, my mind was thinking a little bit more about what’s going on with Grilli. The only thing I can say is either of those guys are real good about catching fly balls, whether Simmons is going back or Maybin’s coming in. I really haven’t had a time to digest how it (happened).”

What about about Wisler’s performance

“All this stuff going on in the back end of the game overshadows his pretty darn good outing. There was a lot of stuff happening, decisions that both managers have to make. But Wisler was terrific.”

Did he show you some poise after giving up that two-run homer in first?

“Especially at this place, with a young pitcher experiencing it for the first time. But I tell you what, this is only his fifth start, but I’ve seen some savviness. He pitches more like a veteran than like a rookie, he really does. That’s something good to see.”

On the big strikeouts by Vizcaino and Avilan to end seventh inning with runners on corners

“We got out of the inning there and we got a chance to do something. We got people on base, we just couldn’t get them in.”

On Wisler’s slider, didn’t seem to be affected by altitude

“Yeah, we saw the slider, we saw velocity, and we saw command of the fastball. As we saw in the first two days here, if you miss location with this team, they’ll make you hurt. They’ll make you pay for it. And he didn’t.

“We walk Arenado there to face Tulowitzki (in the seventh) or the catcher earlier in the game – that’s pretty good stuff there.”

More on Grilli injury

“We’ll see the extent of it. But the pain that he was in on the field, it doesn’t…. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.” (Please note, again, this interview was 30 minutes before Braves announced Grilli ruptured his Achilles.)

On whether he thought Chris Johnson could have had a double if he ran out of the box right away

“I haven’t even seen that. I don’t want to comment because I didn’t see it during the game live, that’s something we’ll look at later one. But if that did happen, then shame on us. Maybe he thought it was foul or something. Gonzalez made a great throw to second base. I’m not sure what happened there (with Johnson).”

**MATT WISLER

On keeping his poise after the two-run homer

“Yeah, I think that’s one of the best I’ve felt all year. Keeping the ball down in the zone, mixing speeds, the slider was good today. On the homer that was just bad location, left it above his hands where he could get to it. But other than that, felt really good today.”

Was that the best the slider has felt for you?

“Yeah, that was very sharp today. Getting ahead with it in, burying it when I needed to, getting the extension on it so I’d get swing-and-miss on it. Just keep doing that hopefully.”

Did you think the slider would be good in this environment, some other pitchers say breaking stuff not sharp here

“Yeah, I pitched at elevations some last year (in the Pacific Coast League), I learned how to do that. The main thing is you have to get extension on it. The ones that you kind of don’t get through, just stay up. But if you throw it right, those are the ones that still break. I worked on it yesterday when I was playing catch.”

If you can pitch here, give you confidence that you can pitch just about anywhere?

“Yeah, just take this start hopefully into the second half, start building on this. Getting through the sixth inning finally.”

On the two strikes out of Tulo and Gonzalez with a runner on in the second inning

“To get quality hitters out like that, who’ve been in the league for a while, to strike those guys out like that is always a confidence boost.”

**JONNY GOMES

On Grilli’s injury

“Not ideal. The guy’s a grinder. Guy’s a nomad, been around. Everything that he’s about, hard work and health, that’s what’s got him here. We’ll just hope for the best with the MRI and whatnot, quick recovery.”

On the game, missed opportunities

“Interesting ballpark. We’d play in, they hit some triples over our head. They bloop some in when we move back. I’ve been here before, there’s not a method to the madness in this ballpark. You play in, they go over your head, you play back, they drop in.”

On walk-off bloop single

“Tough to defend. There’s one out, so it’s not like, lay out, catch it, inning’s over. Simmons playing for the double play. Just didn’t fall our way.”

**CHRIS JOHNSON

Did you think your hit was foul initially (didn’t run out of box right away, got thrown out by RF Gonzalez on slide at second base)

“Yeah, I was steering it fair, and it bounced right to him. CarGo made a pretty good throw….”

When you see it bounce right to him, too late to turn back?

“I was already headed that way, so… Trying to be aggressive, put a little pressure there. I just got caught looking at it out of the box. When it’s right down the line you’ve got a tendency to kind of just stare at it as I’m running a little bit. I wish I could go back and just not look at it and go, and if it’s fair it’s fair, if it’s foul.”

On Grilli’s injury

“I saw it first-hand. I was about to throw him the ball and I saw the look in his face when he was going down. I was like, Oh, man, that’s not good at all. He just started screaming. It looked pretty darn painful. I don’t know what the diagnosis is yet, but it didn’t look good.”

Grilli suffers season-ending injury in loss

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

DENVER — The Braves lost more than a game and a series Saturday against the Rockies, they lost closer Jason Grilli to a season-ending ruptured left Achilles tendon.

Grilli was racing to cover first base on a Drew Stubbs ground ball leading off the ninth inning when the 38-year-old pitcher collapsed to the ground, immediately clutching the back of his ankle. He writhed in pain and was examined by Braves head trainer Jeff Porter on the field before being taken away on a golf cart.

“I saw it first-hand,” Braves first baseman Chris Johnson said. “I was about to throw him the ball and I saw the look in his face when he was going down. I was like, ‘Oh, man, that’s not good at all.’ He just started screaming. It looked pretty darn painful.”

The Rockies won 3-2 on Carlos Gonzalez’s one-out, bases-loaded bloop single off Mike Foltynewicz in the ninth, which landed in front of center fielder Cameron Maybin and beyond shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who peeled off as Maybin approached.

The ball stayed up long enough that it would normally have been caught, but in the vast outfield of Coors Field, Maybin had to cover a lot of ground to get to it, and there might not have been good communication between he and Simmons.

“Just a fly ball,” said manager Fredi Gonzalez, whose Braves have lost four in a row since winning six of their first seven July games. “Really I haven’t had time to sit down and digest it, my mind was thinking a little bit more about what’s going on with Grilli. The only thing I can say is either of those guys are real good about catching fly balls, whether Simmons is going back or Maybin’s coming in. I really haven’t had a time to digest how it (happened).”

On the play when Grilli went down, Stubbs was credited with a single. David Aardsma replaced Grilli and hit the first batter he faced, Charlie Blackmon. One out later, Aardsma walked Troy Tulowitzki to load the bases, and the rookie Foltynewicz was brought in to face hot-hitting Gonzalez, who had homered in the first inning.

Grilli has 23 saves in 25 chances this season and had been perfect in five appearances in July, striking out nine of 15 batters faced before Saturday. Thrust into the closer role when four-time All-Star Craig Kimbrel was traded on the eve of the season opener, Grilli did a commendable job and served as the vocal, veteran centerpiece of a overhauled bullpen that struggled at times this season, but had stabilized some in recent weeks.

“The guy’s a grinder,” Braves veteran left fielder Jonny Gomes said. “Guy’s a nomad, been around. Everything that he’s about, hard work and healthy, that’s what’s got him here.”

For much of the day, the work of rookie pitcher Matt Wisler was the story for the Braves. The 22-year-old gave up a two-run homer by Gonzalez in the first inning, then didn’t allow another runner to advance past second base for six innings in his fifth major league start and first in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field.

A lot of good pitching prospects crumble quicker than a stale corn muffin at Coors Field, but Wisler allowed just six hits, two runs and three walks (one intentional) with seven strikeouts in six innings, firing 62 strikes in 94 pitches.

“All this stuff going on in the back end of the game overshadows his pretty darn good outing,” Gonzalez said. “There was a lot of stuff happening, decisions that both managers have to make. But Wisler was terrific.”

The Braves got home runs from Juan Uribe and Ryan Lavarnway in the second and third innings to tie the score, but went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, and left the bases loaded in the fourth and eighth innings. The Braves, who’ve scored eight runs in three games at Coors, are 2-4 on a seven-game trip and must Sunday to avoid a four-game Rockies sweep.

“We had opportunities there with (runners at) second and third, or first and third, or bases loaded, and just couldn’t get it done,” Gonzalez said. “We pitched well. We just didn’t score runs, and in this ballpark when you get those opportunities (and don’t cash in), it’ll come back and haunt you.”

The Braves rued not scoring in the eighth. Nick Markakis singled to start the inning, and Chris Johnson hit a ball to the right-field corner that looked like a certain double. But Johnson didn’t get around first base quickly and was thrown out sliding head-first at second base.

“I just got caught looking at it out of the box,” Johnson said. “When it’s right down the line you’ve got a tendency to stare at it as I’m running a little bit. I wish I could go back and just not look at it and (run), and if it’s fair it’s fair, if it’s foul it’s foul.”

Uribe was walked intentionally with a runner at third to bring up Kelly Johnson, and lefty Christian Friedrich induced a fielder’s choice that Colorado misplayed, Markakis scrambling back to third ahead of the tag. With bases loaded, Simmons flied out to shallow center, not deep enough to try to score, and Lavarnway struck out to end the inning.

The Rockies had a prime chance to take the lead in the seventh after a one-out triple by Blackmon, the former North Gwinnett High and Georgia Tech standout, who had three hits. Luis Avilan gave up the triple and intentionally walked Nolan Arenado before striking out Tulowitzki, whose 21-game hitting streak ended.

There still were runners on the corners and the hot-hitting Gonzalez to deal with, but left-hander Luis Avilan entered the game and struck him out to quiet the buzz of a crowd of 40,620.

Wisler gave up a leadoff single to Blackmon in the first inning, and two strikesouts later he surrendered a homer to Gonzalez on a 1-and-0, 94-mph fastball. No shame there – Gonzalez has scorched lately, with three doubles in the series opener Thursday and homers Friday a and Saturday giving him nine in his past 32 games.

And after the first inning, the Rockies also had scoring opportunities in each of the next six innings, and were thwarted in each, including five times by Wisler. In the third, Wisler allowed a leadoff single to Blackmon, who was stranded there when Wisler retired the Rockies’ three best hitters — Arenado on a pop-up and strikeouts of Tulowitzki and Gonzalez.

After allowing a one-out double and walk in the fourth, Wisler struck out Brandon Barnes and De La Rosa grounded out. And after Arenado doubled with one out in the fifth, Tulowitzki flied out and Gonzalez was walked intentionally to bring up catcher Michael McKenry, whom Wisler struck out for the third consecutive time.

Wisler also gave up a leadoff walk in the sixth inning, but a pop-up and Barnes’ double-play grounder ended that threat.

Rockies 3, Braves 2

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

How the game was won: Carlos Gonzalez’s bases-loaded bloop single with one out in the ninth inning gave the Rockies a 3-2 walk-off win against the Braves, who lost Jason Grilli to a season-ending ruptured left Achilles tendon. Grilli collapsed when he was racing over to cover first base on a ground ball to start the ninth inning. Braves rookie Matt Wisler was impressive in his fifth start and first at Coors Field, allowing six hits and two runs in six innings, with three walks and seven strikeouts. Juan Uribe and Ryan Lavarnway homered for the Braves.

Number: 0-for-7. Braves hitting results with runners in scoring position Saturday. They left the bases loaded in the fourth and eighth inning, the latter after loading them with one out.

What’s next: The Braves and Rockies will finish their four-game series with their final game before the All-Star break at 4:10 p.m. Sunday, when left-hander Alex Wood (6-5, 3.34 ERA) faces Colorado right-hander Chad Bettis (4-4, 4.95).

Not the way Braves’ Miller wanted to enter All-Star break

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It was not at all the way Shelby Miller had hoped to end the figurative first half of the season, giving up a career-high 11 hits and a season-high five earned runs in a loss to the Rockies.

And the thought of having a few days to relax and hang out with the other All-Stars this weekend in Cincinnati didn’t do anything to temper his frustration late Friday after the 5-3 defeat at Coors Field, his career-high fourth consecutive loss and his 10th consecutive start without a win.

“Yeah, we’ll relax then (in Cincinnati), but it’s still today, so I’m frustrated with that,” Miller said after Friday night’s loss. “Obviously a break’s always good, but I kind of wish I would have went into the break on more of a positive note. But at the end of the day, (Coors Field) a tough place to pitch. I didn’t make pitches. Absolutely my fault.”

Miller is 0-1 with a 9.39 ERA in two starts at Coors Field, where he’s allowed eight runs and 17 hits in 7 2/3 innings, with six walks and nine strikeouts. Those are his worst stats anywhere he’s pitched more than once. But he’s had worst starts elsewhere, when he was with St. Louis before this season.

In a start at Oakland in June 2013, Miller gave up six hits and five earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. And in a May 2014 start at Yankee Stadium, he allowed nine hits and seven earned runs in five innings.

He also gave up eight hits and five earned runs in five innings of a start at Miami last season on Aug. 11. In his next starter after that one, he gave up four runs and six walks in six innings at San Diego, the last outing before Miller reeled off a torrid stretch of pitching between then and May 28 this season: 17 starts, 7-2 with a 1.71 ERA, .181 opponents’ average, 81 strikeouts and 27 walks in 110 1/3 innings.

But in eight starts since then, Miller is 0-3 with a 3.66 ERA and .293 opponents’ average, with 46 strikeouts and 17 walks in 46 2/3 innings.

And in his past three starts, he’s 0-2 with a 4.96 ERA and .361 opponents’ average, allowing 26 hits, 10 runs (nine earned), two homers and six walks with 25 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings. His only quality start in that stretch was against lowly Philadelphia on July 5, when he gave up seven hits and two walks in 6 1/3 scoreless innings.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday morning that he didn’t think Miller would need any reassuring chat with the manager or pitching coach after ending the first half on such a down note.

“His start (against Philadelphia) before this one was pretty darn good,” Gonzalez said. “I think yesterday was just one of those bad days. He battled himself, he battled his delvery, he battled everything yesterday. And I think he’ll be better off for it….

“He set a pretty high standard, the bar was set pretty high when he came out of the chute with (his great start to the season).”

While Miller wasn’t up that standard in two of his past three starts, for most of his 10-start winless streak he pitched great, and the problem was awful run support. The Braves have provided an average of just 1.5 support runs per nine innings pitched by Miller since his past win, failing to score at all while he was in five of those games and scoring only one run while he was in two others.

There’s no reason to be concerned about Miller, said Braves veteran Kelly Johnson. And no reason to worry about his 5-5 record making people not appreciate the season that Miller’s having.

“He’s an All-Star,” Johnson said. “He’s been rewarded in that way, everybody acknowledges it. I don’t think there’s any alarms sounding. He’s throwing the ball, it’s coming out good. I mean, I know (Friday) he probably didn’t have good location, getting a feel for those pitches like he wanted. And of course they didn’t miss the ones that we over the plate.”

Johnson’s three-run homer Friday was the only offense for the Braves, and it came in the sixth inning, after they trailed 5-0. Since the Braves hadn’t announced a pitching change yet, the three runs went on his run-support total. Otherwise, it would’ve been the fifth consecutive start in which they Braves failed to score while he was in.

When Miller came off the mound after a three-run Rockies fourth inning, he rifled his glove into the dugout before he reached the steps. Then his cap. It was the first significant display of frustration by Miller this season.

“It’s OK. It’s good to see some emotion and see him have to fight through that,” Johnson said. “Things are easy when you’re rolling. When things aren’t going your way and you’re not feeling like you want, that’s when it’s really time to bear down. We’re not worried about him, he’s an awesome teammate and he’s having a heck of a year. We’ve got tons of confidence in him.”

Teheran to start 1st game after All-Star break

By David O'Brien - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

DENVER – Julio Teheran got a win on opening day at Miami, and the Braves hope he’ll get another when he starts the first game after the All-Star break Friday against the Cubs at Turner Field.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez announced the Braves’ tentative post-break pitching plan Saturday, with Teheran to be followed by rookie left-hander Manny Banuelos, then All-Star Shelby Miller in the July 19 series finale against the Cubs. Rookie Matt Wisler would start the July 20 home-series opener against the Dodgers, with lefty Alex Wood getting his first post-break start July 21.

Teheran is 6-4 with a uncharacteristically high 4.56 ERA in 18 starts, but he’s 5-0 with a 2.04 ERA in eight starts at Turner Field. He would be the only pitcher to get two starts in the six-game homestand after the break.

“Nothing is set in stone until we get through the break, because a lot of things can happen,” Gonzalez said. “Four days off with these young men of mine, they might go white-water rafting or who knows what.”

But barring any injury or other unexpected misandventure, that’s the starting-pitching plan, probably for at least the first two times through the rotation after the break.

Part of the reasoning for the rotation orde was “just to split up the young guys,” Gonzalez said. “For a week or so we had Banuelos and Wisler (back-to-back). That can put a strain on your bullpen. So we’re going to separate them a little bit. Give Woody an extra three or four days, let him catch a breather. Julio catches a breather just because he pitched Wednesday and won’t pitch again till Friday (July 17).”

Moving Miller to the third game gives him four days of rest if he pitches an inning in Tuesday’s All-Start game, which Gonzalez said was likely based on conversations that Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell has had with Giants pitching Dave Righetti, who’ll serve in that same capacity on Bruce Bochy’s NL All-Star coaching staff.

Gonzalez said rookie Williams Perez, who’s been on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised foot, is scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment next week and could return in late July.

“Talking to Coppy (assistant general manager John Coppolella), he’s going to go out a couple of times to pitch, which is the right thing to do,” Gonzalez said of the Perez timetable. “The target (return) date with him, we’re thinking it’s probably late-20ish of July – the 25th, 27th, right around there.”

Perez, who is 4-0 with a 2.88 ERA in 11 games (eight starts), could go to the bullpen if the Braves decide to keep lefty Manny Banuelos in the rotation. Banuelos could go to the ‘pen, but the lefty’s one-inning appearance Friday was his first relief appearance since 2009 in low-Single A ball, and the Braves seem less inclined to move him to the bullpen.

Gonzalez said that decision – what to do when Perez returns – is still to be determined.

“We haven’t talked about that. That’ll take care of itself,” he said. “We think, he’s going to go to the bullpen or this guy’s going to go to the bullpen, and then someobody else gets hurt…. “There’s a lot of stuff that we can do. I don’t think we’ll be as creative as the Mets and go with a six-man (rotation.”

Another decision must be made when lefty reliever Andrew McKirahan returns July 20 from an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. As a Rule 5 player who’s out of minor league options, he must be kept on the 25-man roster all season after the suspension ends, or else the Braves would have to offer him back to the Cubs at half of the $50,000 claiming price the Marlins paid to take him in the December Rule 5 draft (the Braves got McKirahan off waivers from the Marlins in the last week of spring training).

The Braves have carried an extra relief pitcher for most of the final week before the break, having added rookie Mike Foltynewicz to give them another arm for the four-game series at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Foltynewicz could be sent back to the Triple-A starting rotation either during the All-Star break or when McKirahan is activated.

When asked Saturday if there was a set plan to get Foltynewicz back in the rotation at this time, Gonzalez said, “Not here (at the major league level). I mean, all of a sudden if we feel…. We’ll sit down and talk just before the break ends. I’m sure we’ll have a (plan) when McKirahan comes back, we’ll see what’s best for (Foltynewicz), what’s best for us.”

It’s Shelby Miller’s time at All-Star game

By Steve Hummer - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

There was angst in Brownwood last Monday, at least whatever passes for nervous tension in a town of 20,000 or so lost smack in the middle of Texas.

Between shifts at the firehouse, Mitch Miller was pacing the floor, awaiting baseball’s decision on his boy Shelby. There was every reason to believe he’d be named to his first All-Star game. Not like the Braves had a wealth of candidates. And their newly acquired starter had been covering up scoreboards in zeroes.

Oh, but if anyone pays attention to that win-loss record, so symmetrically ordinary despite just how well Shelby had pitched in the first half — now 5-5 — it could get a little sketchy.

“I kept calling his agent asking, ‘Do we really have to wait all day to figure this out?’” Mitch said.

Remember all those times watching the All-Star activities together, at least the Home Run Derby, which always seemed to captivate Shelby when he was a boy? Could his son actually be inside that festival now, looking out?

Think back about all those years coaching up his son. Mitch might not have been the last source on pitching mechanics, but he could always guarantee his son would take none of his talent for granted. Even when it was football season in central Texas — a time of holy obligation, which Shelby served as a receiver and punter — his father would inject some pitching exercises. Football was an invitation to the emergency room, dad knew. Baseball was the future, even if that meant only a partial college scholarship. Now there was this big payoff at hand, this invitation to join the game’s elite just dangling out there.

Finally Shelby texted his father and just two words were all that were needed to take the top off the anxiety: “Made It.”

Shelby Miller has been a rookie of the year hopeful in St. Louis (2013). He has pitched 13-plus postseason innings for the Cardinals over three seasons. He has flashed special-quality stuff, losing a no-hitter against the Marlins with two out in the ninth earlier this season and retiring 27 consecutive after yielding a lead-off hit to Colorado in 2013.

And yet, until this All-Star recognition, one of his biggest nationwide splashes came when the New York Times did a lengthy story on his 2013 marriage to Amy Peters as part of a regular “Weddings” series.

By the way, it was a lovely ceremony that, the Times reported, “took place outdoors, overlooking Jacks Fork River (Mo.), and was officiated by the Rev. Darrin Patrick, the St. Louis Cardinals’ chaplain. The Cardinals’ manager, Mike Matheny, recited a prayer before the buffet dinner.”

Blossoming in a more strictly baseball way as a Brave, still just 24, Miller seems to be positioning himself as a centerpiece to a drastically overhauled staff.

The effects of his baseball coming-of-age story are far reaching.

For the Braves, naturally, his fast start has been most heartening.

They traded away a popular hometown outfielder, Jayson Heyward, to St. Louis to gain a young pitcher still flush with contract flexibility (eligible for arbitration next year, not eligible for free agency until after the 2018 season). Losing Heyward was difficult, but short term, look who’s in this All-Star game, and who isn’t.

When with the Texas Rangers, GM John Hart was intrigued by a hard-throwing, tough-minded high schooler in Brownwood, but instead drafted another Texas high school pitcher in the first round five spots ahead of where the Cards took Miller. That other pitcher chose the college route and has yet to see the majors. Sometimes baseball gives you a Mulligan, and Hart took it in last November’s trade.

“We looked at Shelby and thought, if we can get this kid and another young piece that would be good,” Hart said. That other piece, Tyrell Jenkins, just went seven shutout innings in his Triple-A debut in Gwinnett on Thursday.

“When (St. Louis) said yes, we were excited. I was more excited after that deal than any of the deals we made,” Hart said.

As for Miller and his family, these first months with the Braves have been a revelation. There were mixed emotions among the Miller clan about the trade, since they had developed strong ties with many in the Cardinals organization. St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright was a good friend and mentor to Miller.

At the same time, coming to a make-over project like the Braves gave Miller the chance to wade out of the deep end of the Cardinals rotation — they own baseball’s best record even with Wainwright injured — and express himself as a front-line starter.

Still a new guy, Miller is careful about not stepping on any bare feet in the Braves clubhouse. But there is something about his serious presence in that room that suggests the mindset of a leader. For instance, his weekly regimen is so strict that he refers to the day after each start as his real “busy day,” as opposed to when he actually takes the mound.

“I’ll be more than happy to take on that role, I just don’t want to disrespect guys here who have been in the league eight or 10 years,” Miller said. Veterans are in short supply with a rebuilding team.

“I love the fact that he has taken ownership at such a young age,” Hart said. “He’s a true professional, the way he approaches his job. His stuff speaks for itself. He’s still developing, he’s still getting better. He’s not a finished project yet, but he’s everything I had hoped he would be, and then some.”

Now if he and the Braves could rehab that win-loss record. Friday’s game, a less than All-Star quality outing against Colorado, represented his 10th consecutive winless start.

Thanks to a dearth of run support, Miller’s 2.38 ERA — sixth best in the National League — has not done much for his winning percentage. Yeah, that frustrates dad just a little bit.

But, he keeps reminding his son, and himself, of a couple of things in frequent text messages:

You did your job. Just keep putting up the zeroes, and the wins will come.

Miller himself is not one to just dismiss a number because it doesn’t suit him. “Wins, innings pitched, WHIP — they all matter, they all key into the kind of season you’re having,” Miller said. “But one thing Waino (Wainwright) taught me was to not let the wins and losses affect anything else you’re getting done.”

If there is a balance in the baseball universe then somehow amid the All-Star shuffling, Miller would come out with the win Tuesday.

Sunday’s game: Braves at Rockies

By Carroll Rogers Walton - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Where: Coors Field, Denver

When: 4:10 p.m.

TV/Radio: FSSO/680, 93.7, 106.7

Probable starting pitchers: LH Alex Wood (6-5, 3.34) vs. RH Chad Bettis (4-4, 4.95)

What’s new: Losing the first two games of this series means the Braves will go into the All-Star break with a losing record regardless of what they do Sunday. Wood gets the start after throwing two pitches before a lengthy rain delay washed out his start Thursday night in Colorado. He is 5-2 with a 2.43 ERA in 11 road starts this season, compared with 1-3 with a 5.18 ERA at Turner Field. The rookie left-hander Manny Banuelos, 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA, was originally scheduled to start Sunday but was to be available out of the bullpen the final two games before the All-Star break instead. Kelly Johnson had homered in three of his previous five games entering Saturday. Johnson batted 7-for-19 (.368) with seven RBIs over that span.

Fox Sports South

Braves closer Grilli ruptures Achilles in loss to Rockies

Staff

Atlanta Braves closer Jason Grilli ruptured his left Achilles tendon while trying to cover first base against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night, the team announced after the game.

Grilli, 38, collapsed after running off the mound during the ninth inning of Atlanta's 3-2 loss at Coors Field. His foot appeared to get caught in the infield grass. After being examined by team trainer Jeff Porter and getting carted off, the Achilles injury was confirmed.

Grilli is expected to miss the remainder of the 2015 season.

The veteran stepped in for All-Star reliever Craig Kimbrel this season after signing a two-year deal with the Braves and exceeded expectations, logging 24 saves with a 2.94 ERA. It was a bounce-back season in the making for Grilli, who struggled to regain his 2013 All-Star form last season. He's been one of the few bright spots for a bullpen that owns the third-worst ERA in baseball.

(Even worse for a team inching closer to becoming sellers at the trade deadline: Grilli was one of the team's potential trade assets that held value on the market.)

With Grilli out of the bullpen equation, Atlanta will likely turn to veteran Jim Johnson, another offseason acquisition, to fill the ninth-inning role, at least in the short term.

The Braves have now lost four straight games heading into their first-half finale against the Rockies on Sunday.

Yahoo! Sports

Braves closer Jason Grilli suffers ruptured Achillies, season likely over

By Mark Townsend

Atlanta Braves closer Jason Grilli is likely done for the season after rupturing his left Achillies tendon on Saturday.

Grilli suffered the injury while attempting to cover first base during the ninth inning of Atlanta's 3-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

It looked like a routine play until Grilli made it about half way to the bag, then he suddenly went down and immediately grabbed the back of his left leg. It had all the earmarks of an Achilles injury, and unfortunately that would be confirmed by the Braves following the game.

One bad step. That's all it took for Grilli's season to be ruined. That's all it took for the 38-year-old veteran's long-term future to come into question. And, in the big picture around MLB, that's all it took for the Braves and several other teams to alter their short-term plans and reevaluate potential trade targets.

It's no secret that Grilli was on the radar for multiple teams currently seeking bullpen depth. Given his closing experience and resurgent production following a disappointing 2014, Grilli was seen as a valuable commodity in the eyes of general managers and managers seeking a reliable late-game option. As recently as Friday, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman mentioned both the Dodgers and Blue Jays as potential landing spots. The Cubs, Nationals and Tigers were also believed to be interested, and that list may have only grown as the trade deadline neared.

Assuming the Braves do become sellers, which is more likely now with Grilli sidelined and Atlanta's bullpen losing some depth, they are losing a trade chip that could have landed one or two notable prospects or a major-league ready talent. Now they have to reshuffle the deck on several fronts, including shifting veteran Jim Johnson into the closer's role.

Johnson is also having a resurgent season, so perhaps a couple good weeks at closer will put him on some wishlists. In 43 appearances, the 32-year-old has posted a solid 2.14 ERA. That's way down from his 7.09 ERA last season with Oakland and Detroit. Johnson also has previous closing experience, including consecutive 50-save seasons for the Baltimore Orioles in 2012-2013, so there's definitely value.

For now, though, the thoughts and concerns remain with Grilli and the long recovery he faces. But make no mistake the impact of this injury wasn't just felt in Atlanta. It was league wide.

The Anniston Star

Surprising Braves still should be sellers before trade deadline

By T.K. Greer/Special to The Star

The Atlanta Braves have reached the all-star break in a place not many fans thought was realistic in March — in contention in the National League East.

Sort of.

And it’s the “sort of” that is going to make the next three weeks difficult for the Johns — Hart and Coppolella — the front-office brain trust.

Atlanta is within shouting distance of .500, and lurking in the NL East, trailing preseason favorite Washington by five games the New York Mets by two games. After offseason and season-eve trades of Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Evan Gattis and Craig Kimbrel, many of us thought the Braves would be an afterthought in any playoff push this season.

But Jace Peterson, Cameron Maybin, Freddie Freeman, A.J. Pierzynski, Jim Johnson, Jason Grilli, Shelby Miller and others have played pretty well — extremely well in some instances.

Peterson has played himself into contention for the full-time second base job beyond 2015, barring a second-half flop. Maybin has one more year left on his current deal for $8 million, and if he continues to play at his current pace, that would be a steal in 2016. Miller, the Braves’ only all-star, despite a recent rough stretch, has demonstrated that he can be a rotation force in the coming years.

But the reality for 2015 is that this Atlanta team as currently constructed (and with Freeman injured) will have a difficult time overtaking a Washington team that — think about this — hasn’t had Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth and Anthony Rendon on the field at the same time for one inning this calendar year, including spring training. All of that, and Atlanta still trails the Nationals.

So, how will the Johns handle the next few weeks leading up to the July 31 trade deadline? The Braves open the second half with their first 12 games against the Cubs, Dodgers, Cardinals and Orioles who are all above .500. And if they stumble, here’s a guess at what happens to a few of the names above (and a couple of others):

• Cameron Maybin: Traded. This is a tough one, but Maybin hasn’t had a season like this since, well, ever. He played well in 2011-12, stealing 66 bases over those seasons. But he’s never hit higher than .264, nor had an on-base percentage higher than .323. This year, he’s batting .295 with an OBP of .359. His value will never be higher, especially with such a team-friendly contract in 2016. It makes sense to move him, especially if they can get the acquiring team to take Chris Johnson and the two years and more than $14 million remaining on his contract, too.

• Jim Johnson: Traded. He’s a set-up man and is perfect for a contending team looking for seventh- or eighth-inning help.

• A.J. Pierzynski: Not traded. He’s only signed for this year, but with Christian Bethancourt struggling again defensively in the majors and minors this year, it might be tough to move the veteran Pierzynski, who has been tremendous at age 38.

• Jonny Gomes: Traded. Teams have always sworn by the value Gomes brings to a club every day with his preparation, attention to detail and desire to win. This year’s Braves team is no exception. But Gomes is a lefty killer and would be a great bench piece for a contending team. Someone will want him. Atlanta should oblige.

• Julio Teheran: Not traded (for now). I know this may be coming from left field, but there is a possibility Atlanta could explore trading Teheran at some point this year — but it would likely be the offseason. The Braves could land a potential impact bat for Teheran in any deal, and considering the pitching they have acquired in recent months, they just might do it.

It’s going to be tough for Hart and Coppolella to sell fans, and especially the team, on any moves made to trade away these players. And if Atlanta opens the second half and wins nine or 10 of those first 12 games and pulls within a game or two of the Nationals, the Johns probably won’t sell. In fact, the pendulum could swing the other way and they could look for another reliever and/or hitter to supplement this year’s team.

But if that happens, it might delay Atlanta’s “reset” — Hart’s words, in lieu of “rebuild.” While they wanted to be competitive this year, and they have been, their eyes are really peering to 2017. And that’s why my best guess is that if the Braves are five or more games out come the last two weeks of the month, you’ll see several guys moved as the “reset” rolls on.

The Sports Xchange

Rockies 3, Braves 2

Sports Xchange

DENVER — Carlos Gonzalez blooped a single with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth, giving the Colorado Rockies a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.

The ball landed in short left-center, beyond shortstop Andrelton Simmons and onrushing center fielder Cameron Maybin, who had the best chance to make the catch, but couldn’t quite get to it.

Left fielder Drew Stubbs led off the ninth with a bouncer to first that became an infield single. Closer Jason Grilli ran to cover first but went down suddenly in severe pain and had to be taken off the field on a cart.

David Aardsma relieved Grilli (3-4) and hit center fielder Charlie Blackmon with an 0-and-2 pitch. Aardsma struck out third baseman Nolan Arenado but walked shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to load the bases for Gonzalez.

The winning pitcher was LaTroy Hawkins (2-1), who retired the side in order in the ninth.

The Braves left the bases loaded in the eighth.

Right fielder Nick Markakis led off with a single. First baseman Chris Johnson drove a ball high into the right-field corner and high off the wall, but was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double.

Third baseman Juan Uribe was intentionally walked, and when Kelly Johnson came up to pinch-hit, left-hander Christian Friedrich came on to face him.

Johnson hit a bouncer to first baseman Ben Paulsen. He threw to third base but Markakis got back just ahead of the throw. Friedrich retired shortstop Andrelton Simmons on a fly to short center and struck out catcher Ryan Lavarnway to end the threat.

The Rockies failed to capitalize on a scoring chance in the seventh.

With one out, Blackmon tripled into right field corner for his third hit of the game. Arodys Vizcaino intentionally walked Arenado, but struck out Tulowitzki.

Luis Avilan, the only left-hander in the Braves’ bullpen, came on to face the left-handed hitting Gonzalez, who hit a two-run home run in the first, and struck him out on three pitches.

Rex Brothers, recalled Saturday, made his 2015 debut in the seventh and showed the command problems that plagued him last season and in spring training, causing him to begin this year at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Brothers retired the first batter he faced, but then issued consecutive walks and was replaced by Rafael Betancourt. He retired center fielder Cameron Maybin on a line drive to left and got second baseman Pedro Ciriaco to pop out.

Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa gave up two runs four hits, two of them solo home runs, in six innings. He had two walks and seven strikeouts.

De La Rosa struck out five of the first six batters he faced, the exception being Uribe, who hit his eighth home run.

Catcher Ryan Lavarnway led off the third with his first home run, tying the game, 2-2.

Right fielder Gonzalez hit his 13th home run, a two-run shot over the wall in center field in the first. The ball landed about where Gonzalez went deep Friday night and was his third home run in six games.

Those were the only runs allowed by starter Matt Wisler, who gave up six hits in six innings, with three walks and seven strikeouts.

NOTES: Rockies LHP Rex Brothers was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque, where he has spent the entire season, going 4-1 with three saves and a 4.71 ERA in 32 games. LHP Aaron Laffey was designated for assignment after making his Rockies debut on Friday night. … Braves RHP Shelby Miller is 0-1 with a 9.39 ERA (eight earned runs in 7 2/3 innings) and has allowed 17 hits in two starts at Coors Field after losing there Friday and giving up 11 hits and five earned runs in five innings. In two starts at home against the Rockies, Miller is 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA (15 innings, one earned run), allowing six hits. … Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado is the fifth player in franchise history with 24 or more home runs and 69 or more RBIs before the All-Star break. … LHP Alex Wood will start Sunday after throwing two pitches on Thursday before a 2-hour, 6-minute rain delay ended his outing.

Braves closer Grilli suffers ruptured Achilles

Sports Xchange

Atlanta Braves closer Jason Grilli suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon on Saturday night and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

The right-hander was injured while trying to cover first base on Colorado Rockies left fielder Drew Stubbs’ bouncer to first base in the ninth inning.

Grilli ran to cover first but went down suddenly in severe pain and had to be taken off the field on a cart.

“The pain he was in on the field was cruel,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Stubbs was credited with an infield single, and the Rockies ended up walking off with a 3-2 win later in the inning.

Grilli’s injury likely scuttles any trade talks. The Braves reportedly had been in serious discussions about dealing Grilli, who is 3-3 with a 2.67 ERA and 24 saves in 35 appearances this season.

Grilli is due $3.5 million next season, and the Braves have a $3 million option, with a $250,000 buyout, for 2017.

Associated Press

Gonzalez's bloop single lifts Rockies past Braves 3-2

By DENNIS GEORGATOS (Associated Press)

DENVER (AP) -- Carlos Gonzalez's towering home run made an impression. His fly ball to shallow center made the difference.

Gonzalez hit a bases-loaded bloop single that dropped between charging center fielder Cameron Maybin and backpedaling shortstop Andrelton Simmons in the ninth inning Saturday, driving in the decisive run in theColorado Rockies' 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

''I knew it had a chance'' to fall in, Gonzalez said. ''It was perfect, just good enough to get the winning run. I'll take that every day.''

Misfortune befell the Braves at the outset of the rally by the Rockies, who have won their last five games against Atlanta.

Reliever Jason Grilli (3-4) tumbled to the ground and suffered a ruptured left Achilles' tendon as he ran toward first to cover the bag when Drew Stubbs, the first batter he faced, hit a grounder that first baseman Chris Johnson ranged to his right to field.

Grilli appeared to take a bad step and crumpled to the ground, grabbing his lower left leg in pain. Stubbs was safe on what was ruled a hit. Team trainers and manager Fredi Gonzalez ran on to the field to tend to Grilli, who remained on the ground for several minutes. He was helped to his feet, taken away on a cart for further treatment and replaced by David Aardsma.

The team said in a tweet after the game that Grilli was expected to miss the rest of the season.

''The pain he was in on the field was cruel,'' Fredi Gonzalez said.

Charlie Blackmon was hit by a pitch and after Nolan Arenado struck out, Troy Tulowitzki walked to load the bases. Gonzalez, who hit a towering drive that cleared the center field wall earlier, lofted a fly ball to shallow center that the Braves simply couldn't get to before it fell with Stubbs coming in to score the winning run.

''I had three strikeouts going into that at bat so I'm just trying to find a way to get on base, to get the next guy up and to help us win a ball game,'' said Tulowitzki, who learned after the game that he had been named to his fifth All Star game as an injury replacement. ''Sure enough, I did that, and we got some luck on that last play.''

Tulowitzki went hitless on the day, snapping his career-long 21 game hitting streak. But he reached base with the walk, and now has reached base in a career high 37 straight games.

''The history was fun while it lasted,'' Tulowitzki, referring to the end of his hitting streak, which was the longest in the majors this season. ''My teammates had fun with it. I had a good time with it.''

LaTroy Hawkins (2-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory.

The Braves loaded the bases with one out in the eighth but couldn't convert against reliever Christian Friedrich, who induced Simmons to fly out to shallow center and struck out Ryan Lavarnway, who homered earlier.

''We had opportunities,'' Jonny Gomes said after the Braves lost their fourth in a row, including three to the Rockies heading into Sunday's series finale. ''It's an interesting ballpark. They hit some triples over our head. Blooped some in. I've been here before and there isn't a method to the madness.''

Matt Wisler settled down to pitch six solid innings after being jolted in the first by Gonzalez's two-out, two run homer that soared into the stand of evergreens beyond the center field wall. Gonzalez hit a homer to nearly the same place the night before.

POST-BREAK ROTATION

Atlanta set its rotation for the second half of the season with Julio Teheran scheduled to start next Friday against the Chicago Cubs when play resumes following the All-Star break. He'll be followed by Manny Banuelos, Shelby Miller, Matt Wisler and Alex Wood.

SHORT AND PRODUCTIVE STAY

The Rockies recalled Rex Brothers from their Triple A affiliate in Albuquerque before the game, making roster room for him by designating for assignment left-handed pitcher Aaron Laffey. Brothers has spent much of the previous four seasons with the Rockies. Laffey spent one day with the Rockies but it was long enough to get the win pitching in relief Friday night despite allowing a three-run homer in Colorado's 5-3 victory over the Braves. It was his first major league appearance since April 26, 2013, and first win since Sept. 25, 2012.

UP NEXT

Braves: LHP Alex Wood (6-5) returns to the mound to start Sunday's series finale after throwing just two pitches in Thursday's rain-delayed opener. He replaced LHP Manny Banuelos.

Rockies: RHP Chad Bettis (4-4) will look to bounce back after allowing a career-high 10 runs in 2 1-3 innings in his last start against the Los Angeles Angels.

Braves-Rockies Preview

By JORDAN GARRETSON (STATS Writer)\

The Colorado Rockies have disappointed during the season's first half, but they've put themselves in position to head into the All-Star break on a positive note.

They'll look to finish off a four-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves on Sunday at Coors Field.

Colorado (38-49) is a non-factor in the playoff picture as it stands, currently 8 1/2 games out of the NL's second wild-card spot. However, after a 3-2 victory Saturday, the Rockies can match a season high with a fourth straight win and their first-ever four-game sweep of Atlanta (42-46)

They're batting .357 over the last four games, andCarlos Gonzalez clinched Saturday's win with a ninth-inning single. Gonzalez, who homered for the second straight day, is 12 for 25 with three home runs and four doubles in his last six games. Charlie Blackmon is 14 for 31 in his last seven after going 3 for 4 with a triple.

Keeping Colorado's lineup in check represents the final first-half assignment for starter Alex Wood (6-5, 3.34 ERA). Wood is taking the mound three days after throwing two pitches in Thursday's 5-3 loss, not returning after a 2 hour, 6 minute rain delay.

"I was pretty surprised that they wanted us to start that game, but that's the way it goes," said the left-hander, who is 4-2 with a 2.11 ERA over his last seven road starts. "You've just got to deal with it and move on and I look forward to taking the ball on Sunday."

Wood won his only other start against Colorado, allowing three runs over seven innings in an 11-3 home victory July 30, 2013.

The Rockies' nine homers against lefties are the second-fewest in the majors, though Nolan Arenadotook Wood deep in their matchup two years ago. Troy Tulowitzki, whose hitting streak was snapped at 21 games Saturday, is 14 for 28 off lefties since May 29.

There's some uncertainty behind Wood after Jason Grilli tore his Achilles in the ninth inning Saturday. Grilli, who is out for the season, suffered the injury while attempting to cover first base.

Grilli, who took the loss after being charged with the go-ahead run, has converted 24 of 26 save opportunities with a 2.94 ERA. He's been one of the few highlights amid a terrible bullpen, which owns a 4.30 ERA that ranks near the bottom of baseball.

Jim Johnson might be the top candidate to slide into the closer role. Though he has converted only five of eight save opportunities, he owns a 15 2-3 innings scoreless streak and recorded 101 saves for Baltimore from 2012-13.

Chad Bettis (4-4, 4.95) gets the ball for Colorado trying to bounce back from the worst outing of his career. He gave up 10 runs and eight hits - including four homers - over 2 1-3 innings in a 10-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. The four homers matched what he had allowed in 61 1-3 innings on the season.

"Chad had been one of our most consistent starters and had been throwing the ball really well for us," manager Walt Weiss said. "He had a lot of balls in the middle of the plate, belt high, and they didn't miss them."

Bettis lost his only start against Atlanta, surrendering five runs in five innings in an 11-2 road defeat Aug. 1, 2013.

These teams were a combined 1 for 16 with runners in scoring position Saturday.

Colorado's five-game winning streak in the series is its longest ever.

Braves reliever Jason Grilli suffers leg injury

DENVER (AP) -- It began as a scramble from the mound toward first to cover the bag, something Jason Grilli has done countless times in his career. This one, though, ended with a bad step and Grilli crumpled on the ground in agony.

The Atlanta Braves reliever suffered a season-ending left Achilles tendon rupture and took the loss Saturday in a 3-2 defeat to the Colorado Rockies.

Misfortune hit the Braves at the outset of the Rockies' ninth-inning rally. Grilli (3-4) tumbled to the ground and suffered the injury to his lower left as he ran toward first to cover the bag when Drew Stubbs, the first batter he faced, hit a grounder that first baseman Chris Johnson ranged to his right to field.

Grilli sprinted off the mound toward first and suddenly tumbled to the ground, grabbing his leg in pain. Stubbs was safe on what was ruled a hit. Team trainers and manager Fredi Gonzalez ran on to the field to tend to Grilli, who remained on the ground for several minutes. He was helped to his feet, taken away on a cart for further treatment and replaced by David Aardsma.

''The pain he was in on the field was cruel,'' Gonzalez said.

Charlie Blackmon was hit by a pitch from Aardsma and after Nolan Arenado struck out, Troy Tulowitzki walked to load the bases. Carlos Gonzalez, who also homered earlier, lofted a fly ball to shallow center that dropped between the charging Cameron Maybin and backpedaling shortstop Abdrelton Simmons.

''It was a tough play,'' Fredi Gonzalez said. ''With Simmons going back or Maybin coming in. I haven't had a chance to digest that one.''

LaTroy Hawkins (2-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory.

The Braves loaded the bases with one out in the eighth but couldn't convert against reliever Christian Friedrich, who induced Simmons to fly out to shallow center and struck out Ryan Lavarnway, who homered earlier.

''We had opportunities,'' Jonny Gomes said after the Braves lost their fourth in a row, including three to the Rockies heading into Sunday's series finale. ''It's an interesting ballpark. They hit some triples over our head. Blooped some in. I've been here before and there isn't a method to the madness.''

Matt Wisler settled down to pitch six solid innings after being jolted in the first by Gonzalez's two-out, two run homer that soared into the stand of evergreens beyond the center field wall. Gonzalez hit a homer to nearly the same place the night before.

Wisler fanned seven.

Atlanta evened the score at 2-2 on Lavarnway's first home run of the season leading off the third.

Jorge De La Rosa struck out the first four batters he faced before Juan Uribe connected for his eighth homer - seventh with the Braves - in the second. He finished with seven strikeouts in six innings and allowed two runs on four hits.

POST-BREAK ROTATION

Atlanta set its rotation for the second half of the season with Julio Teheran scheduled to start next Friday against the Chicago Cubs when play resumes following the All-Star break. He'll be followed by Manny Banuelos, Shelby Miller, Matt Wisler and Alex Wood.

Braves: LHP Alex Wood (6-5) returns to the mound to start Sunday's series finale after throwing just two pitches in Thursday's rain-delayed opener. He replaced LHP Manny Banuelos.

Rockies: RHP Chad Bettis (4-4) will look to bounce back after allowing a career-high 10 runs in 2 1-3 innings in his last start against the Los Angeles Angels.