Atlanta Braves Clippings

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Braves.com

Markakis, Braves come up short vs. Rockies

By Mark Bowman and John Donovan / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | 1:18 AM ET

ATLANTA -- DJ LeMahieu highlighted his three-hit night with a two-run fourth-inning single that capitalized on one of the three errors third baseman Adonis Garcia committed as the Rockies claimed a 5-1 win over the Braves on Tuesday night at Turner Field.

Garcia's first two errors led to each of the four unearned runs charged to Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz, who needed 94 pitches to complete five innings. Foltynewicz hit Matt McBride with a pitch and issued a four-pitch walk to Rockies starter Chad Bettis to load the bases before LeMahieu delivered his two-run single.

"We made some mistakes behind [Foltynewicz] that lengthened the innings and caused him to throw more pitches," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "If we go out there and have a clean game defensively behind him, he might be out there pitching in the seventh. I thought his stuff was good. His secondary pitches were good. He's not experienced enough to cover those [errors] up."

Bettis allowed just one run and five hits while working five innings in his first start since July 18. The right-hander, who spent the past month on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation, kept the Braves scoreless until Nick Markakis scored Andrelton Simmons with a one-out single in the fifth inning.

"He did a great job. He picked up where he left off," Colorado manager Walt Weiss said of his starter. "He labored through the fifth. Got through it, but the fact that he hadn't been out there in a while, that's about as far as I was going to let him go."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED LeMarvelous: LeMahieu put together his 14th three-hit game of the season -- the 38th of his career -- with singles in each of his first three at-bats. The big hit came in the fourth when, with the bases loaded and two outs, he fought off an inside fastball from Foltynewicz, poking the ball to center to drive in a pair of runs. LeMahieu also had a sacrifice fly to drive in another run in the ninth.

Adonis' miscues: Though he had been described as a defensive liability, Garcia had committed just two errors in the 25 games he had previously started at third base this season. But the 30-year-old Cuban lived up to his reputation as he misplayed Nolan Arenado's one-out grounder in Colorado's two-run first inning. Garcia also botched Nick Hundley's grounder to begin the two-run fourth inning.

"I've learned over the years that I can't control anything after I let the ball go out of my hand," Foltynewicz said. "I've just got to focus on the next pitch instead of dwelling on what happened. Errors are going to happen. Everybody wishes they were perfect, but it's baseball. I think I did a good job a couple times of getting the next batter, but a couple times, it didn't really work out."

Generosity denied: Rockies right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle issued four walks and uncorked a wild pitch while facing just five batters in the seventh inning. But the Braves were unable to take advantage as Pedro Ciriaco grounded into a double play and Freddie Freeman struck out with the bases loaded. Christian Friedrich entered to face Freeman, who has gone 5-for-25 since returning from the disabled list last week.

Bold Bettis: Bettis' night ended on a bold note in the fifth inning in a critical showdown with Freeman. Atlanta had cut Colorado's lead to 4-1 on Markakis' single, bringing Freeman to the plate (after Nick Swisher fouled out) with runners on first and third and two outs. Bettis started Freeman off with a 92-mph strike to get ahead, but the lefty-swinging Freeman worked the count to 2-2. On the fifth pitch of the at-bat, Freeman swung at a 93-mph fastball and pulled it, meekly, to first baseman Ben Paulsen to end the inning and the threat.

QUOTABLE

"Everyone knows what I'm going to do pretty much. I get out of whack when I try to do more." -- Mathieu, on his overall steady play this season

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Garcia's three errors left him one shy of the Atlanta record, which is shared by Mark DeRosa (May 2, 2004) and Darrell Evans (Sept. 20, 1975).

REPLAY REVIEW The Braves issued a successful challenge after Jace Peterson was called out on a two-out grounder in the second inning. After reviewing the play for 1 minute, 20 seconds, the umpires overturned first-base umpire Vic Carapazza's initial ruling.

WHAT'S NEXT Rockies: Colorado will send lanky left-hander Yohan Flande (3-1, 3.94 ERA) to the mound to start the series finale on Wednesday at 5:10 p.m. MT. It will be Flande's sixth start of the season and his 14 appearance overall. Flande is 2-0 with a 3.90 ERA as a starter with 18 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings.

Braves: Atlanta will counter with Shelby Miller, who in the 7:10 p.m. ET start, will be attempting to earn his first win since coming one-out away from completing a no-hitter against the Marlins on May 18. Miller has posted a 3.11 ERA during his 17-start winless streak. But the Braves have provided one run or fewer in 12 of those outings.

Braves lament miscues against Rockies

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | 12:04 AM ET

ATLANTA -- When Adonis Garcia was released by the Yankees during the final week of Spring Training and signed by the Braves four days later, he was described as a decent hitter whose defensive limitations would likely keep him at the Triple-A level.

Garcia steadily quieted doubts about his glove after he was given a chance to spend most of this month filling the void created when the Braves traded third baseman Juan Uribe to the Mets. But the 30-year-old Cuban was humbled on Tuesday night, when he committed three errors, two of which led to the four unearned runs the Rockies tallied in a 5-1 win over the Braves at Turner Field.

"It was one of those tough nights," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "You haven't been a Major Leaguer until you have one of those nights."

Garcia did not speak to the media about his tough game that left him one error shy of the Atlanta record, which is shared by Mark DeRosa (May 2, 2004) and Darrell Evans (Sept. 20, 1975). Shortly after DeRosa endured that game at Coors Field, Chipper Jones ended his stint as a left fielder and moved back to third base.

Garcia's days as Atlanta's starting third baseman are likely numbered. But the Braves will likely wait until rosters expand on Sept. 1 to bring their third baseman of the future, Hector Olivera, to the Major League level.

Unfortunately for the Braves, Garcia's night marred the effort provided by rookie starter Mike Foltynewicz, who surrendered the four unearned runs during his five-inning outing that required 94 pitches. Foltynewicz surrendered a pair of singles in the two-run first inning and might have escaped the two-run fourth inning had he not hit a batter and issued a four-pitch walk to Rockies starting pitcher Chad Bettis.

But Foltynewicz's challenge was enhanced courtesy of the miscues committed by Garcia, who had committed just three errors in the 25 starts he had previously made at third base, all of which occurred after he was promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett on July 25.

"We made some mistakes behind him that lengthened the innings and caused him to throw more pitches," Gonzalez said. "If we go out there and have a clean game defensively behind him, he might be out there pitching in the seventh. I thought his stuff was good. His secondary pitches were good. He's not experienced enough to cover those [errors] up."

Garcia committed his first error when he misplayed Nolan Arenado's sharp grounder with two on and one out in the first inning. Instead of resulting in an inning-ending double play, the Arenado grounder scored DJ LeMahieu from second base and set the stage for Ben Paulsen to follow with a sac fly.

Garcia's inability to handle Paulsen's soft chopper in the fifth inning proved to be inconsequential. But the rookie's miscue on Nick Hundley's grounder to begin the fourth inning proved detrimental when LeMahieu stroked a two-run single to center with two outs.

"Everybody wishes they were perfect, but it's baseball," Foltynewicz said. "I think I did a good job a couple times of getting the next batter, but a couple times, it didn't really work out."

Moylan happy Medlen made his MLB return

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | @mlbbowman | August 25th, 2015

ATLANTA -- Though they are separated by distance, Peter Moylan and Kris Medlen have continued to savor their strong friendship, which was enriched as they spent last summer and most of this past offseason pushing each other toward their current satisfaction.

When Moylan and Medlen both underwent a second Tommy John elbow surgery two weeks apart last year, their respective playing careers were suddenly in jeopardy. But neither allowed this possibility to enter their minds as they endured a grueling rehab process together. Instead, the

former Braves teammates remained committed to doing whatever necessary to get themselves back where they are now -- pitching at the Major League level.

"It helped that we're really good mates," said Moylan, who befriended Medlen while they played together with the 2009 Braves. "When you look back at it, it was just uncanny that we would blow out a week apart, have surgery two weeks apart and then be on the same schedule all the way through. But it helped me out a lot to have someone to hold you accountable every day."

After declining an offer from the Braves that would have provided $5.8 million this year and a lesser guarantee in 2016, Medlen accepted the Royals' offer -- a two-year, $8.5 million deal that includes a $10 million option for 2017. Moylan, whose career has also been detoured by surgical procedures on his back and shoulder, returned to the Braves with a Minor League deal that originally was aimed toward giving him a chance to serve as player/coach with Rookie Level Danville this year.

Medlen was promoted to the Major League level after the All-Star break as a member of Kansas City's bullpen and on Monday night, he completed six solid innings while making his first start since he took the mound for Atlanta in Game 1 of the National League Division Series in 2013. Moylan spent most of this summer with Triple-A Gwinnett and got his call to return to the Majors as a member of Atlanta's bullpen on Aug. 16.

Both returned to the Majors approximately 16 months after undergoing the second Tommy John procedure.

"We talk to each other once a week at least," Moylan said. "I called him yesterday just before the start to wish him good luck. He called me when he heard that I got called up. When he first got called up and then I got called up, we got a little choked up. All of our text messages said something like, 'I couldn't have done this without you.'"

Moylan and Medlen have already reaped the benefits of those countless early-morning workout and rehab sessions they endured together over the past year in suburban Atlanta. But neither of these determined pitchers limited the goal to simply returning to the Majors after undergoing the major elbow surgery for a second time.

"It's a really cool thing to see how it has all played out," Moylan said. "Obviously there was more of a doubt about whether I was going to come back. But there is always a doubt when you go under the knife for the second time in the same place."

Miller, Flande duel in series finale in Atlanta

By John Donovan / Special to MLB.com | August 25th, 2015

The Braves and Rockies will put a topper on their season series on Wednesday night at Turner Field in the finale of a three-game set that pits Colorado left-hander Yohan Flande (3-1, 3.94 ERA) against Atlanta righty Shelby Miller (5-10, 2.50).

Flande is scheduled to make his sixth start of the season and his 14th appearance overall. He is 2-0 with a 3.90 ERA as a starter, with 18 strikeouts and seven walks in 27 2/3 innings. He's a fastball-changeup pitcher who mixes in the occasional slider.

Atlanta will go with Miller, who has not won a game in his last 17 starts, a historic streak of futility. If Miller can't manage a W on Wednesday, he'll top Carl Morton -- who went 17 straight starts without a win to start the 1976 season -- for the team's single-season record since moving to Atlanta in 1966. Miller's streak already is the longest by any pitcher named to the All-Star Game in the same season.

Three things you need to know about this game

• Both teams have a day off on Thursday. The Braves pick things up again on Friday with an Interleague series against the New York Yankees at Turner Field. The Rockies will leave after Wednesday's game for Pittsburgh, opening a three-game set against the Pirates on Friday.

• Colorado slugger Carlos Gonzalez was out of the starting lineup for the 15th time this season on Tuesday as he continues to nurse a sore right knee. Manager Walt Weiss says he's keeping his options open on when to get CarGo back in the lineup. Gonzalez has started 109 games and has hit all 30 of his home runs as the team's starting right fielder.

• Charlie Blackmon and D.J. LeMahieu have had the most success againt Miller, going a combined 6-for-13 (.462) with a double, an RBI and two walks. Nolan Arenado though has struggled against Miller, going 1-for-9 (.111) with a double and RBI.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves quotes after loss to Rockies

By Michael Cunningham - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves quotes after the 5-1 loss to the Rockies on Tuesday at Turner Field.

**FREDI GONZALEZ

On Mike Foltynewicz’s start

“I thought he pitched good and I told him that when he came out of the fifth inning. He’s a young pitcher that he’s not ready to cover up mistakes. We made some mistakes behind him, it lengthens the innings and he throws more pitches. If we go out there and we have a clean game defensively behind him he may be pitching the seventh. I thought his pitches were good, his secondary pitches were good. He’s not experienced enough to be able to cover those up. He almost did. We got bases loaded one out, he punched out a guy and then he gave up a run. But I thought I saw some good stuff from him. I saw him keep his composure, which is a big thing for a young player.”

On if he’s seen Foltynewicz improve on keeping his composure since spring training

“I have. That was the only episode we saw in spring training. From all of these guys we have, I think to this point he has made maybe the most progress.”

On drawing four walks in the seventh inning but not scoring

“We had some people on base even from the fifth inning. We had people on base with the right people hitting. They just wiggled out of those situations. We did have the right situations to get within one road or even go ahead but we didn’t get it done.”

On Nick Markakis hitting well

“It’s hard sometimes to even notice him because he’s been like that all year. Somebody says, ‘He had another great three at-bats,’ well he gives you great at-bats almost every night so he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Here’s a guy we’ve hit him lead-off, second, third, fourth and all he does is give you good at-bat after good at-bat. I hope some of our young hitters that are in there watching him are taking note that this guy does not give at-bats away. He sticks his nose in there every single time.”

On Adonis Garcia’s three errors

“It’s just one of those tough nights. You haven’t been a major leaguer until you have one of those nights. I remember against the Rockies when I was a third-base coach here, (Mark) DeRosa at third base (with four errors), I don’t think that ever happened to him again. Remember him getting a message from a member of another team: ‘Congratulations you are now a major leaguer.’ It happens. The only people it doesn’t happen to is the people watching the game on television or watching the game in the stands or us here.”

**MIKE FOLTYNEWICZ

On pitching around the three errors

“Errors are going to happen. I’ve learned over the past couple years I can’t control anything after I let the ball go out of my hand. I’ve got to keep focused on the next pitch instead of dwelling over what happens. Errors are going to happen. Everybody wishes they were perfect but that’s baseball. I thought I did a good job a couple of times getting the next batter but a couple times it didn’t really work out. I tried to pick up Garcia but it didn’t happen. I will just go out there the next time and focus a little better and get the job done.”

On keeping his composure

“That’s another part of the game I’ve been working on. You can’t let those things get to your head because that’s when the big innings happen. The other day in Chicago I think I sped up a little bit. This time I kind of slowed down a little bit, damage control. I didn’t let four or five in, just a couple, for a chance to get my team back in the game. I’m getting a little better, baby steps, but it’s coming along well.”

On if he’s improved

“It’s baby steps, like I said. Once we get there, I’m trying to finish off the last month on a positive note going into next year. Little things are going to make all the difference in the next month. Hopefully I will get them down. I’m getting my confidence back. It’s going to be a fun last month.”

**NICK SWISHER

On leaving runners on base late

“Some things didn’t go our way tonight. There’s a lot of new faces, including myself. I think we are really working together and trying to figure out what the identity of what this team is going to be. We’ve got a lot of season left to be played. There’s no giving up in this squad and that’s what I like about it the most. We are going to keep grinding, keep playing. We have got some opportunities, we just haven’t capitalized on them. I think if we just stick together and keep fighting and scratching and clawing, it will turn for us.”

On Garcia’s three errors

“We’ve got his back. You are going to make mistakes. This is a tough game sometimes. Sometimes that ball bounces a little funky. Hopefully he gets that opportunity tomorrow and make some kind of amazing play, because that’s the kind of guy he is.”

On Foltynewicz keeping his composure

“That’s what’s great, man. We’ve got such a young pitching staff, such a young, talented pitching staff. This is the first time I’ve really gotten a glimpse of all of them. These guys have electric stuff and they are learning on the fly. They are learning at the highest level possible. They have the talent to be here but they are going through a little bit of growing pains right now and they’ll figure it out and come out on the other side for sure.”

Blundering Braves lose to Rockies

By Michael Cunningham - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

There’s a lot of talent in Mike Foltynewicz’s right arm. Not many pitchers can deliver a 98-mph fastball when they need it, like he did against Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old needed help to stop his recent slide, though. Some run support would have been nice. Solid defense always is useful.

Instead, Braves hitters couldn’t solve Rockies starter Chad Bettis and third baseman Adonis Garcia committed three errors. The Rockies won 5-1 to end a four-game losing streak while the Braves lost again after ending their own losing streak at seven games the previous night.

The Braves (54-72) couldn’t win consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 7-8. The Rockies (50-74) earned their fourth win in the last 17.

It was two struggling teams playing in front of a sparse crowd at Turner Field. The few Braves fans who remained late booed left-hander Matt Marksberry when he unleashed two wild pitches with Reyes at bat in the ninth inning.

It was that kind of game. The Braves left 10 runners on base. With three errors through five innings, Garcia threatened the Atlanta team record of four errors in a game that is shared by Mark DeRosa (2004) and Darrell Evans (1975).

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez was there for DeRosa’s tough day in the field against the Rockies in 2004. He was the Braves’ third-base coach back then.

“It happens,” Gonzalez said. “The only people it doesn’t happen to is the people watching the game on television or watching the game in the stands or us here.”

After losing his rotation spot in June, Foltynewicz has been trying to be better in his second go around. He failed to make it out of the fourth inning in either of his previous two starts.

Foltynewicz was better against the Rockies but lasted just five innings as his pitch count piled up with the error-extended innings.

“Errors are going to happen,” Foltynewicz said. “I’ve learned over the past couple years I can’t control anything after I let the ball go out of my hand. I’ve got to keep focused on the next pitch instead of dwelling over what happens.”

Bettis, who was fresh off the disabled list, held the Braves to five hits and a run over five innings. The Braves could muster only three hits and a walk through four innings before finally breaking through in the fifth with a one-out RBI single by Nick Markakis.

The Braves couldn’t come back from a 4-0 deficit. None of the four runs allowed by Foltynewicz were earned. He played a part in his troubles but Garcia’s defensive blunders hurt.

In the first inning Foltynewicz gave up back-to-back, one-out singles to DJ LeMahieu and Charlie Blackmon before Garcia’s error on a potential double-play ball scored a run. Ben Paulsen followed with a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 Rockies lead.

Nick Hundley reached base to lead off the fourth on Garcia’s second error of the game. Foltynewicz hit Matt McBride with a pitch and walked pitcher Bettis to load the bases. Foltynewicz struck out Reyes with the big fastball for the second out before LeMahieu scored two runs with his third hit of the game.

“He’s a young pitcher that’s not ready to cover up mistakes,” Gonzalez said. “We made some mistakes behind him, it lengthens the innings and he throws more pitches. If we go out there and we have a clean game defensively behind him, he may be pitching the seventh.”

Garcia committed his third error when he couldn’t handle Paulsen’s chopper in the fifth inning, though Foltynewicz limited the damage by retiring Hundley and McBride.

Rockies 5, Braves 1

By Michael Cunningham - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A recap of the Braves’ loss to the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday at Turner Field.

How the game was won: Three errors by Braves third baseman Adonis Garcia led to four unearned runs against starter Mike Foltynewicz as the Rockies won 5-1. Garcia booted ground balls in the first, fourth and fifth innings. The Rockies capatlized with two runs in the first and two in the fourth. Rockies starter Chad Bettis limited the Braves to a run on five hits over five innings. The Braves left 10 runners on base.

Number: 17. Consecutive starts without a win for Braves pitcher Shelby Miller.

Next: The Braves play the Rockies Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. on SportSouth. Braves RHP Shelby Miller (5-10, 2.50 ERA) vs. Rockies LHP Yohan Flande (3-1, 3.94).

Braves ace Miller not sweating his winless streak

By Michael Cunningham - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

By now it’s widely accepted that a starting pitcher’s win-loss record does not necessarily correlate with his effectiveness because so many factors are out of his control including run support, defense and luck.

Still, the record goes next to a pitcher’s name and Braves All-Star Shelby Miller is 5-10 as he prepares to start against the Rockies on Wednesday. Miller’s streak of 17 starts without a win does not reflect how well he’s pitched, but it’s still the reality.

It’s a topic that has become redundant for Miller but he said it’s not weighing him down.

“This is a team sport,” Miller said. “At the end of the day, if I know every single guy coming in here are working our tails off to try to get a win, if I lose the game, it’s all right; and if we lose the game in general, it’s all right. Because we’ve done everything we can. As far as personal stats, wins are great but at the same time that’s something I try to shy away from.”

Miller last earned a win on May 17 at the Marlins. In that game he allowed no hits through 8 2/3 innings and settled for a two-hit shutout.

Miller has posted a 3.11 ERA in the 17 starts since then. He pitched at least seven innings six times while allowing more than one earned run in just one of those starts. Miller allowed no hits through seven innings last week against the Diamondbacks.

And yet Miller still can’t earn a win, and the Braves are 3-14 during that stretch.

Miller’s 17-game streak without a win is the longest for any All-Star pitcher in the year selected (Nolan Ryan went 13 in a row for the Astros in 1983). Since the Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966, Carl Morton (1976) is the only other Braves pitcher to go 17 consecutive starts without a win.

The Braves acquired Miller in a trade with the Cardinals last November and he’s been their staff ace. But after pitching in three consecutive postseasons for the Cardinals, Miller almost certainly won’t be in the playoffs with the Braves.

“It’s fun and once you’ve done it, it makes you that much more hungry for it,” Miller said. “It’s a great feeling. Baseball in October is as good as it gets. That’s what we play for.

“Every single guy in this clubhouse knows that and knows that’s our goal. That’s what we are all trying to do. We haven’t had the best season but at the same time we are finishing strong and doing what we need to do.”

Rare day off for Braves outfielder Maybin

By Michael Cunningham - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez gave center fielder Cameron Maybin a break and got some at-bats for his veteran bench players.

Maybin was out of the lineup on Tuesday against the Rockies after he’d played 71 of 72 games since June 5, including 69 starts.

“It’s something we’ve kind of been looking at for a while to give him a breather,” Gonzalez said. “He’s played a lot, and played well.”

Maybin is on pace for a career-best season at the plate. He’s hitting .278 with a .340 on-base percentage and a .399 slugging percentage and has a chance to top the career-high 147 games he played in 2012 with the Padres.

With Maybin out of the lineup on Tuesday, Michael Bourn started in centerfield and Nick Swisher was in left. Gonzalez said Maybin would be in lineup for the Rockies series finale on Wednesday.

“That’s a dynamic within itself, trying to get all of those (bench) guys in there,” Gonzalez said. “Everybody deserves to play and everybody has done a good job in those roles.”

Braves shortstop Simmons returns to lineup

By Michael Cunningham - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons returned to the lineup on Tuesday after missing two games with a sore knee.

Simmons said he lobbied team officials to get back on the field.

“A little bit but they kind of know me,” he said. “I feel good enough to play. I’m healthy.”

Simmons suffered the injury while sliding into third base in the sixth inning against the Cubs on Saturday. He finished the game.

“I felt a little bit but nothing to stop me from playing,” he said. “Once I sat down and everything cooled off, it kind of stiffened up on me. That was a little concerning at first but found out everything is good.”

Simmons missed six games from Aug. 2-7 with a strained oblique and had started 10 of 11 games before injuring his knee. Entering Tuesday, Simmons was batting .259 with a .324 on-base percentage and a .333 slugging percentage.

Rockies’ Ben Paulsen gets home game

By Thomas Stinson - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It required one at-bat — first pitch, actually — on Monday night for Ben Paulsen to complete a nine-year baseball odyssey that, frankly, seemed at times to be one long minor league bus ride to nowhere.

From Kell High School (Class of ’06), Paulsen endured over 700 games in the minors before he became a regular first baseman earlier this summer for the Colorado Rockies. In his first visit to Turner Field, he went after the first pitch Julio Teheran threw him in the second inning and sent it over the right-field fence.

A 27-year-old rookie, an overnight sensation, finally came home.

“It’s a really a great feeling,” he said Tuesday. “I want to feel that way longer.”

His is not an unusual baseball story. There was nothing not to like about Paulsen’s tools. The Rockies picked him from Clemson in the third round of the 2009 draft: a tall first baseman, 6-foot-4, with a sweet left-handed swing that seemed to stay in the strike zone forever. Paulsen entered Colorado’s system at Single-A Modesto that summer. From there, the summers seemed to blend together.

“I enjoy playing the game,” he said. “I never really left it. There were points in my career where when it was time for the club to make decisions, and I didn’t deserve to get promoted.”

By 2013, there was a question over whether he would remain in Double-A for a third consecutive season, akin to flunking third grade twice. He had been a Texas League All-Star the year before, but nothing in his resume spoke to the team offices in Denver.

“I think he’s actually performed better at the major league level than he has in the minor leagues,” said Rockies right fielder Charlie Blackmon, another metro Atlanta kid who befriended Paulsen during spring camps. “He’s a guy who’d do amazing in spring training and they’d send him out. I remember his first big-league camp and they sent him to Double-A, and he was very, very upset.”

A turning point came when Paulsen spoke with Andy McKay, whom the Rockies call their coordinator of mental skills, and quickly Paulsen was promoted to Triple-A Colorado Springs, a fourth-year prospect one step away.

“He kind of challenged my commitment, he challenged by work ethic, he challenged my game mentally,” Paulson said. “And I think that is kind of when I turned it around.”

His break came last year when the Rockies finally called him up in July. All he did was hit .317. But he did so in 31 games that were spread over four different stints with the big-league club. He was riding a yo-yo.

“But he put himself on the map,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. “He had a difficult year, no doubt about it. He got left off the roster a couple times. He was tested mentally, emotionally. But he stayed the course, put his head down and kept plodding away.”

Just as it appeared a place was waiting for him this season, Paulsen had a miserable spring training, batting .143. The club broke camp without him — again — and he was back in Triple-A, a six-year pro back in limbo.

“I don’t know if it was the (new outsized) moustache,” he said. “Things were a little off. I might have put too much pressure on myself.”

This time, it was someone else’s turn for a bad break. Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau, the reigning National League batting champion who was Paulsen’s biggest obstacle, dove for a ball against the Angels on May 13, hit his head and hasn’t played since because of concussion-like symptoms. Paulsen took his spot.

“The future didn’t look too bright, but we never know in this game,” Weiss said. “It’s tough to predict a week out what’s going to happen a week out. Next thing you know, he’s playing first base in the big leagues and making the most of it.”

Between 40 and 50 of his friends and family members were at Turner Field on Tuesday night, and they saw a player who finally belongs. In just 255 at-bats, Paulsen has 10 homers with 39 RBIs. His .482 slugging percentage is fourth-highest on the team. Said Blackmon: “He’s been great for us. We’d be much worse off without him.”

“It’s unfortunate the way I got called up with Morneau getting hurt,” Paulsen said. “It’s weird how things do work out.”

Marietta Daily Journal

Braves bonds to cost less than estimated, Cobb's finance director says

By Ricky Leroux

UPDATE: MARIETTA — Due to low interest rates, the $368 million in bonds the county plans to use to finance the construction of SunTrust Park will require $22.4 million in annual debt service payments, about $1.6 million less than the annual payments estimated when the financing plan was created in 2013, according to Jim Pehrson, county finance director. Pehrson told the Board of Commissioners at its meeting Tuesday evening that the county has received final bids for an underwriter to issue $368 million in bonds. The board will vote on selecting the lowest bidder at its Sept. 8 meeting and the bonds will be issued on Sept. 9, Pehrson said. Additionally, the county originally projected it would have to pay $24 million in debt service annually for 30 years to repay the bonds, but due to lower interest rates, the annual payments will be $22.4 million, Pehrson said. The county plans to use a variety of revenue sources to repay the bonds, including general fund revenue, a $3 per night fee on hotels and motels in the Cumberland area, an 8 percent tax on hotel/motel stays county wide, a rental car tax, revenue from a special district that levies additional property tax on commercial property owners in Cumberland and annual payments from the Atlanta Braves. While the county originally planned to use 0.33 mills worth of general fund property tax, Pehrson said Tuesday night due to the lower payments and better than projected income from the other revenue sources, only 0.234 mills will be needed to make the annual debt service payments. CUMBERLAND SHUTTLE Also at the meeting, the board voted 5-0 to approve holding a public hearing on Sept. 22 on a proposed Cumberland circulator shuttle. Commissioners heard a presentation on the shuttle at a work session earlier in the day, which estimated the shuttle would cost about $1.2 million annually to operate and about $3.5 million in capital costs to implement. The presentation came from Chip Burger, senior transportation planner for Los Angeles-based AECOM, and included the results of surveys AECOM gave to Cumberland employees, residents and visitors, as well as recommendations for a route, service frequency and cost. Cobb Chairman Tim Lee said the presentation was a “great start” but there is more work to do before the county could proceed on the project. “As we get a little more fine-tuned, we’ll nail down some of our revenue options as well,” Lee said. Commissioner Bob Ott, who represents the Cumberland area, said the $1.2 million annual operating cost is close to the initial $1 million estimate the board was given for the shuttle. Ott said while the presentation contained only preliminary information, he is still supportive of the project. “I’ve been asking for a circulator the entire time I’ve been up here,” Ott said. Burger’s presentation recommended a core route that runs past the Cumberland Transfer Center at Cumberland Mall, several area hotels, the

Cobb Galleria area, SunTrust Park, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, and the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s office and the Weather Company’s office, both on Interstate North Circle. Burger said the core route could use a proposed pedestrian bridge the county has planned to span Interstate 285 to connect the Cobb Galleria and SunTrust Park, but since the bridge project is still in the planning phase, the route does not depend on the bridge. The core route would run daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays with less frequent service on Saturdays and Sundays, although the Sunday service is contingent upon Cobb Community Transit implementing Sunday service, Burger said. In addition to the core route, AECOM recommended a supplemental route that travels from Cumberland Mall south on Cumberland Parkway and then turns right on Paces Ferry Road. The southern route, which was recommended to run during the midday hours, would then turn around near the La Quinta Inn & Suites hotel at the intersection of Paces Ferry Road and Spring Hill Parkway. If these routes and schedules were adopted, AECOM estimated it would cost about $1.2 million to operate. Lee said the county is looking at excess revenue from its $3 per night fee on hotel and motel stays in the Cumberland area to help pay for the shuttle’s operation. Additionally, AECOM estimated it would cost $3.3 million to purchase six 30-foot, clean diesel buses, $75,000 for new bus shelters, $7,500 for 30 new bus stops, $48,000 for vehicle branding and $50,000 to set up a passenger information system — a total of about $3.5 million in capital costs. Lee said Faye DiMassimo, the county’s transportation director, is optimistic that 80 percent of the cost of setting up the shuttle could come from federal sources, leaving about $700,000 for the county to fund. DiMassimo said at the work session that the county will have a public hearing at the board’s Sept. 22 meeting and will have two open houses on the circulator on Sept. 9-10. At the board’s Oct. 13 meeting, DiMassimo said, a final recommendation will be presented, which will include funding sources.

Atlanta Magazine

Why won’t the Falcons and Braves reveal their stadium sponsorship costs?

When it comes to stadium-naming rights, the Falcons and Braves speak loudly about corporate partners but stay quiet about the cash.

By Max Blau

From behind a podium yesterday morning, Arthur Blank watched as a black cloth was pulled off of the table in front of him, revealing an architectural model displaying the official name of new $1.5 billion home for his Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC: Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It featured the German carmaker’s name across its scoreboards and on its walls, as well as the company’s iconic logo plastered atop its retractable roof.

“I think we’ll be the only company in Atlanta whose logo can be seen from the International Space Station,” Mercedes-Benz USA President and CEO Steve Cannon joked at the press conference. “Subtle marketing.”

Mercedes-Benz will hold the naming rights for the state-owned sports facility, set to open in 2017, for the next 27 years. Yet both Cannon and Blank declined to discuss the financial terms of the longterm deal—the single largest marketing expense in the car manufacturer’s 89-year history, Cannon said. The team’s—and the sponsor’s—reticence about disclosing figures mirrors the Braves’ strategy in announcing that its new Cobb County home would be called SunTrust Park. Neither franchise, nor the companies they struck agreements with, are under any legal obligation to disclose the terms. But the silence surrounding both sponsorship deals raises questions about an unavoidable reality of partnerships between government and professional sports franchises, which readily accept—and sometimes demand—taxpayer dollars to fund their for-profit enterprises, but sidestep the obligations of transparency accompanying traditional government projects.

Naming rights are nothing new. Wrigley Field, one of the oldest and best-loved sports fields in America, is named for the chewing gum manufacturer. But only in recent years have naming rights taken on enormous significance to a franchise’s bottom line. For decades, sports teams were in the practice of disclosing the financial figures for stadium naming rights deals. Up until 2007, when Barclays originally purchased naming rights for the Brooklyn Nets’ new arena in a 20-year, $400-million deal (that figure was later cut in half during the recession), Royal Philips Electronics held the NBA record for the largest naming rights deal, paying the Atlanta Hawks $185 million over 20 years to call its home Philips Arena.

About five years ago, Kennesaw State University economics professor J.C. Bradbury says, sports franchises and their corporate partners began to stop disclosing those figures, particularly as opposition grew to using public dollars to build sports stadiums. At the moment, efforts to build new stadiums for teams like the St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers using taxpayer dollars have resulted in lawsuits, protests, and relocation threats.

“You keep it quiet so that you’re not getting as much blowback,” he says. “It’s a PR decision.”

In some cases, the price tags associated with naming rights leak, despite the intentions of sports franchises and their corporate sponsors, giving the public some sense of the magnitude of revenues generated. Earlier this summer, the Minnesota Vikings announced U.S. Bank would be the top sponsor for its new stadium, though details weren’t disclosed. But unnamed sources familiar with the agreement told local media outlets the 25-year deal was worth between $200 million and $220 million. Back in June, the Tennessee Titans did not disclose the terms of its 20-year stadium naming rights agreement with Nissan. Citing several local sports experts, the Tennessean reported that Nissan paid somewhere between $100 million and $130 million, though the actual number remains unconfirmed. The largest reported naming rights deals, unsurprisingly, are in New York—including one with Citibank, which pays $20 million a year to place its name all over the home of the Mets.

William Perry, president and CEO of the recently launched Georgia Ethics Watchdogs, says it’s in the public interest for Blank and Cannon to release the deal’s terms. He says the public’s actual tab for the Falcons stadium will amount to more than just $200 million in bonds—the figure Atlanta officials have frequently cited as the cap for the public funding component of the stadium project, an amount that will come from the city’s hotel-motel tax. Perry argues that the true taxpayer cost could be much higher when taking into account the interest on the bonds ($448 million), a sales tax exemption for construction costs ($25 million), deals to buy land from two historic black churches ($34 million), and community redevelopment funds ($15 million). Both the Falcons and the Braves have qualified for state property sales tax exemptions that will save the organizations millions over the life of the stadiums.

“It’s a double standard when they’re taking in so much public money and are not disclosing private money in the naming of a public building,” Perry says. “It’s not against the law, but it isn’t what you’d expect from a good corporate partner in terms of their community and fan base.”

Last September, when the Atlanta Braves announced its new $672 million baseball stadium in Cobb County would be named SunTrust Park, team execs also declined to disclose the financial terms of the 25-year naming rights deal. Like Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Braves will receive hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars—nearly $400 million from Cobb taxpayers—to build the sports complex. To pay off the bonds, county officials plan to raise the cash from property, transportation, and community improvement district taxes. Though the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority will own the structure, the Braves call the shots on corporate partnership agreements.

“We have not shared the financial terms of our agreement, and that’s not something that we would share in the future,” Braves spokeswoman Beth Marshall says.

Manish Tripathi, a marketing professor at Emory University, says the level of scrutiny is lower around sponsorship deals because they’re an afterthought to the public compared to the stadium deals themselves. “The sticker shock is going to come from the larger number,” Tripathi says. “Once that fight is done, people care less, and are either excited or resigned that the stadium is coming.” For Atlanta’s professional sports franchises, the decision to stay quiet on flagship sponsorship deals is likely the path of least resistance, even if it’s the path that is least transparent.

The Sports Xchange

Rockies snap skid in 5-1 win over Braves

By Stan Awtrey

ATLANTA — Right-hander Chad Bettis returned from the disabled list to win his first game since July 12, and second baseman D.J. LeMahieu drove in three runs for the Colorado Rockies in a 5-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday at Turner Field.

Bettis (6-4) spent more than a month on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation. He returned to pitch five innings and allow one run, five hits and two walks while striking out four. Bettis also picked up his first career base hit.

LeMahieu went 3-for-4 with a sacrifice fly and scored a run. He now has 50 RBIs.

The win ended Colorado’s four-game losing streak and their five-game road losing streak. Atlanta has lost eight of nine.

Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz (4-6) pitched five innings and allowed four hits and one walk, with three strikeouts. He allowed four runs, all of them unearned, and lowered his ERA from 6.06 to 5.71.

Atlanta got three shutout innings of relief from Sugar Ray Merimon and Peter Moylan before Matt Marksberry yielded a run in the ninth.

The Braves had a chance to get back in the game in the seventh inning but were unable to capitalize. Colorado reliever Tommy Kahnle walked two batters, got a double play, and walked two more batters to load the bases. Left-hander Christian Friedrich struck out first baseman Freddie Freeman to end the threat.

The Rockies jumped in front with two unearned runs in the first inning against Foltynewicz. LeMahieu and center fielder Charlie Blackmon had back-to-back singles with one out. Blackmon’s hit extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

Third baseman Nolan Arenado hit what appeared to be a double-play ball to third base, but it went under the glove of third baseman Adonis Garcia and allowed LeMahieu to score. First baseman Ben Paulsen followed with a sacrifice fly to left field to give Colorado a 2-0 lead.

Colorado scored another pair of unearned runs to take a 4-0 lead in the fourth. Garcia booted a routine grounder from catcher Nick Hundley to open the inning, and the Rockies loaded the bases when right fielder Matt McBride was hit by a pitch and Bettis walked. After shortstop Jose Reyes struck out on a high fastball, LeMahieu lined a 3-2 pitch into center field to score two runs.

Atlanta trimmed the lead to 4-1 with a run in the fifth. Right fielder Nick Markakis completed a 10-pitch at-bat by lining an RBI single up the middle to plate shortstop Andrelton Simmons.

NOTES: Colorado RF Carlos Gonzalez was out of the starting lineup with right knee soreness. He left the game early on Monday and manager Walt Weiss decided to be cautious. The Rockies dropped CF Charlie Blackmon from the leadoff spot to the No. 3 hole and put SS Jose Reyes at the top of the order. … RF Brandon Barnes was a pregame scratch because of a stomach illness. He was replaced in the lineup by Kyle Parker. … Atlanta gave CF Cameron Maybin a night off in favor of Michael Bourn. … Colorado RHP Kyle Kendrick threw a 45-pitch simulated game on Tuesday. The club will determine when Kendrick will make a rehab start. He has been on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation since Aug. 1. Pitching matchups for the finale of the three-game series on Wednesday: Colorado LHP Johan Flande (3-1, 3.94 ERA) vs. Atlanta RHP Shelby Miller (5-10, 2.50 ERA).

Braves give Bethancourt another chance

By The Sports Xchange

ATLANTA — Christian Bethancourt was originally ticketed to be the Atlanta Braves’ regular catcher this season, but it didn’t work out. Now he is getting a second chance.

“I think the biggest thing is we need to find out how good this guy can be,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “I always thought the catcher position takes a little longer to develop, and this guy is only 23 years old and he may not get it until he’s 25 or 26. There’s a lot of responsibility with that catcher position.”

Bethancourt, who had lost regular duty to veteran A.J. Pierzynski, was sent down to Triple-A Gwinnett in the middle of June and stayed there until being recalled Monday.

He started the series opener against the Colorado Rockies and was 0-for-3 with a walk in the Braves’ 5-3 win, his main contribution being a nice tag in the eighth inning to help prevent a run.

Bethancourt struggled defensively early this season and also didn’t take to the leadership role required for his position.

He hit just .198 in 29 games for Atlanta before being sent to the minors, but he bounced back to post a .327 average with 23 extra-base hits and 31 RBIs in 52 games for Gwinnett.

“It wasn’t about a humbling or sending a message or any of that kind of stuff,” Gonzalez said of Bethancourt’s demotion. “It was about getting this guy right. I know that position takes a little longer to develop, and maybe he wasn’t quite ready to take that responsibility.”

Gonzalez said Bethancourt was scheduled to start Wednesday, with Pierzynski set to be in the lineup Tuesday.

“Nobody wants to be in Triple-A, but for me it was good to be back there and start over and start refreshed,” Bethancourt said. “Now it’s a new opportunity. Basically, I’m going to start from zero, and it’s what I do from now on.”

PLAYER NOTES

• RHP Julio Teheran allowed two early homers, but he worked 7 1/3 innings in a 5-3 victory over Colorado on Monday. He allowed four hits, walked one and struck out five. Teheran improved to 9-6 with his third straight victory. The outing also tied his longest of the season. He also worked 7 1/3 innings against Pittsburgh on June 6.

• RHP Mike Foltynewicz will try to bounce back from a couple of rough losses as he faces Colorado on Tuesday. He worked 4 2/3 innings in each start, giving up six runs to Arizona and seven to the Chicago Cubs. Foltynewicz has given up seven homers in four August starts and 17 in 81 2/3 innings this season. He has never started against Colorado, but he struck out four over two innings in a pair of relief appearances vs. the Rockies.

• OF Eury Perez was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday after going 0-for-8 in spot duty over the past two weeks. He had a .269 average and seven stolen bases in 47 games with the Braves. Perez was promoted to Atlanta after hitting .296 with 28 stolen bases in 61 games for Gwinnett.

• RHP David Aardsma was released by the Braves on Monday after going 1-1 with a 4.70 ERA in 33 appearances. The veteran pitched well after being signed in June, but he faltered recently. Aardsma had a 7.71 ERA in his last 15 games, giving up 14 hits and 12 runs in 13 2/3 innings.

• RHP Sugar Ray Marimon was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday for a third stint with the Braves this season.

He made six relief appearances with Atlanta earlier and was 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA, striking out five and walking four in 9 1/3 innings. In Triple-A, he went 5-4 with a 3.31 ERA over 17 games (14 starts).

• SS Andrelton Simmons did not play Monday for the second consecutive game because of a sore knee, but he could be back against the Rockies as early as Tuesday. He was hurt Saturday in Chicago against the Cubs sliding into third base.

“The doctors checked him out, and nothing is structurally damaged, which that was nice news to hear,” Gonzalez said.

Braves developing Vizcaino as closer

Sports Xchange

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves are trying to determine if they’ve identified their closer of the future in Arodys Vizcaino.

Vizcaino is the third closer the team has used this year. Jason Grilli held the role until he suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon. Jim Johnson took over responsibilities until he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. That left Vizcaino, a hard-throwing right-hander, next in line.

“He’s what you’re supposed to look like on the back end of the bullpen, whether that’s the seventh, eighth or ninth inning,” Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Vizcaino, whose fastball approaches 100 mph at times, started the season by serving an 80-game suspension for violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug regulations. He worked briefly in the minor leagues before being recalled to the big leagues on July 6.

In 20 games, Vizcaino is 2-0 with a 0.48 ERA. In 18 2/3 innings he has 19 strikeouts and seven walks. He’s 4-for-4 in save opportunities.

“Whether it’s a save situation or not, we’re going to run him out there in the ninth inning and let him get used to the situation,” Gonzalez said. “It will be good to use him in that role if that’s how it develops.”

Associated Press

Bettis solid, Rockies get 4 unearned runs to beat Braves 5-1

By PAUL NEWBERRY (AP Sports Writer)

ATLANTA (AP) -- Chad Bettis pitched five solid innings in his return from the disabled list and theColorado Rockies scored four unearned runs, taking advantage of three errors by Atlanta third baseman Adonis Garcia in a 5-1 victory over the Braves on Tuesday night.

Bettis (6-4) allowed five hits, walked two and struck out four in his first big league start since July 18. He was coming back from right elbow inflammation.

The Rockies scored two runs in the first after Garcia misplayed a grounder to his left that could have been an inning-ending double play. Garcia let Nick Hundley's grounder get right through him to start the fourth, allowing the Rockies to tack on two more runs when DJ LeMahieu came through with a two-out, bases-loaded single.

Garcia made another error in the fifth.

Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz (4-6) went five innings and took the loss.

LeMahieu picked up his third RBI with a sacrifice fly in the ninth.

Bettis also did good work at the plate. He had his first big league hit in the second and contributed to the two-run fourth with a walk. Foltynewicz also hit a batter in the inning, making it tougher to work around Garcia's error.

Colorado snapped a four-game losing streak, while Atlanta lost for the 12th time in 15 games.

Freddie Freeman squandered a couple of chances to get the Braves back in the game.

After Nick Markakis' RBI single got Atlanta on the board in the fifth, Nick Swisher popped out with runners at first and third, and Freeman grounded out to end the inning.

Freeman came up in the seventh with the bases loaded and two outs, only to strike out swinging on a 3-2 slider from Christian Friedrich. The left-hander came in after Tommy Kahnle walked four in the inning but got away without allowing a run. Pinch-hitter Pedro Ciriaco grounded into a double play in the midst of all the wildness.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rockies: OF Carlos Gonzalez did not start after leaving Monday night's game in fifth inning with right knee soreness. Gonzalez was listed as day to by manager Walt Weiss, who said the outfielder was available for pinch-hitting duty. ... RHP Kyle Kendrick, who has been on the DL since Aug. 1 with right shoulder inflammation, threw a 45-pitch simulated game before batting practice. ''He looked good,'' Weiss said. Kendrick's next step is a rehab start in the minors. ... LHP Boone Logan threw before the game. He's been on the DL since Aug. 12 with left elbow inflammation.

Braves: SS Andrelton Simmons was back in the lineup after missing two games with a sore left knee. Simmons banged his knee on a slide during a game at Chicago, but there was no serious damage.

UP NEXT

Rockies: Former Atlanta farmhand Yohan Flande (3-1) will make his 14th appearance of the season, his sixth as a starter. In his five previous starts, the left-hander is 2-0 with 3.90 ERA. He pitched in the Braves' farm system from 2010-13 and will be making his first start against his former team.

Braves: RHP Shelby Miller (5-10) is looking to break a winless streak that has stretched to more than three months. His last win came on May 17, when he threw a two-hit shutout at Miami. Miller has gone 0-9 over his last 17 starts, largely because of a lack of offensive support. The Braves have scored a total of 35 runs during that span - an average of just over two per game. In only two of those starts has Atlanta scored more than three runs. Miller has a 3.11 ERA during his drought, allowing three earned runs or less in 13 appearances. Not that it's done him any good.

Rockies-Braves Preview

By TAYLOR BECHTOLD (STATS Writer)

On one hand, Shelby Miller is on pace to join elite company for the traditionally pitching-rich Atlanta Braves. On the other, he's nearing franchise infamy.

Miller is hoping to get some run support as he tries to avoid the single-season club record for consecutive starts without a win Wednesday night against the visiting Colorado Rockies.

The right-hander has been outstanding in his first season with the Braves (54-72), allowing two earned runs or fewer in 19 of 25 starts.

Miller (5-10, 2.50 ERA) is on pace to become only the third Atlanta pitcher to finish with a 2.50 ERA or lower while making at least 25 starts since 1990. Greg Maddux accomplished that five times and Tom Glavine did it once during their illustrious tenures.

The All-Star, though, has dropped nine decisions during a 17-start winless streak in which he's had an MLB-low 1.55 run-support average. It's the franchise's third-longest such stretch since 1966 behind Carl Morton's 22-game streak in '75-76 and Jo-Jo Reyes' 18-gamer in '08-09.

He's also tied with Morton and Huck Betts (1935) for the longest single-season drought since 1914.

"It's tough," right fielder Nick Markakis told MLB's official website. "It's frustrating for him and for us. We just got to keep plugging away."

The Braves provided three runs for Miller on Friday, but hurt him with some shoddy defense in a 5-3 loss at Wrigley Field. He allowed five runs - three earned - and struck out eight over 6 1-3 innings.

The 24-year-old has been particularly good at Turner Field, posting a 2.01 ERA in 12 starts. However, he hasn't received any runs there in five of his last seven outings.

Miller gave up a season-high five earned runs and 11 hits over five innings in a 5-3 loss at Coors Field on July 10. But he's 2-0 with an 0.60 ERA in two career home starts versus the Rockies.

Carlos Gonzalez homered off Miller at Coors, but could miss his second straight game after hurting his right knee Monday. Nolan Arenado is just 1 for 9 in the matchup.

Colorado (50-74) batted .158 while totaling eight runs during a five-game road losing streak beforeDJ LeMahieu went 3 for 4 with three RBIs in Tuesday's 5-1 win that evened this series. Charlie Blackmon extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a first-inning single.

The Rockies are turning to former Atlanta farmhand Yohan Flande (3-1, 3.94) in the finale as they try to win back-to-back games for only the second time since the All-Star break.

The left-hander is 2-0 with a 3.90 ERA in five starts since joining the rotation. He worked a career-high seven innings Thursday, yielding two runs and three hits in a 3-2 win over Washington.

"He's not scared - that's one of the biggest things," manager Walt Weiss said. "He attacks the strike zone, and the ball moves."

Flande will get his first look at an Atlanta team that went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position Tuesday in its eighth loss in nine games. Third baseman Adonis Garcia made three errors.

Markakis stayed hot with two hits and the only RBI, leaving him with a .433 average and six RBIs over his last seven games. Cameron Maybin, who has four straight two-hit home games, is likely to be back in the lineup after getting Tuesday off.