Recap: Atlanta vs. Colorado
Sports Network | September 11, 2008
Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Jair Jurrjens struck out a career-high 10 batters and Yunel Escobar went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer, as the Atlanta Braves doubled up the Colorado Rockies, 8-4, to record their first home sweep since May 20-22.
Jurrjens (13-9) allowed four runs on eight hits while walking two batters over six innings. Gregor Blanco went 2-for-4 and knocked in a pair for the Braves, who have won five of seven. Brian McCann and Casey Kotchman both finished with an RBI in the win.
Starter Ubaldo Jimenez lasted five frames and was touched for three runs -- two earned -- on five hits. Glendon Rusch (5-5) took the loss after giving up four runs on three hits while recording just two outs in the sixth.
Brad Hawpe had a solo homer for the Rockies, who have dropped five straight games. Matt Holliday went 3-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs in defeat.
Down by two with one out in the home fifth, Chipper Jones clubbed a double to center, moved to third on consecutive walks from McCann and Escobar before crossing home on Kotchman's ground out to make it a one-run game.
Blanco opened the sixth with a double off Rusch and stole third base. Pinch-hitter Omar Infante offered a sac fly to right before Kelly Johnson legged out a triple. Jones was intentionally walked and McCann laced an RBI single to left, which brought Matt Herges in from the 'pen.
Escobar greeted Herges with a three-run homer, increasing Atlanta's lead to 8-4.
Colorado gave Atlanta a scare in the ninth. Willy Taveras slapped a one-out single to left and moved to second two batters later as Holliday walked. Both runners then advanced on defensive indifference, but Hawpe went down swinging to end the game.
The Braves broke the scoreless tie in the second inning. McCann led off as he reached first on Garrett Atkins' fielding blunder before consecutive singles from Escobar and Kotchman loaded the bases. Jeff Francoeur then lined out, but Blanco stroked a two-run single to left, making it 2-0.
The Rockies rallied to claim the lead, 3-2, in the third, though. Taveras led off with a walk and Jeff Baker followed with a single. Holliday then ripped a two-run double to right and scored two batters later on an Atkins RBI single.
Hawpe's two-out solo blast in the fifth gave Colorado a 4-2 lead.
The Braves improved to 4-3 against the Rockies this season...Colorado stranded nine batters to the Braves' seven.
