That snapped a career-high-tying streak for Arenado of nine games without an RBI.Braves starter Miller and Rockies shortstop Daniel Descalso were teammates with St. Louis before the Cardinals parted with both players after last season.
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A very scary moment for the Braves came in the top of the ninth inning when closer Jason Grilli injured himself while attempting to cover first base on a ground ball to first base. Drew Stubbs homered and Tulowitzki hit a sacrifice fly in the second to give Colorado a 4-0 lead.
“I think he was fighting delivery a little bit”, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
David Aardsma took over on the mound and hit Blackmon with a pitch and walked Troy Tulowitzki two batters later to load the bases. 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.
– This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 32388975. The Braves got eight innings from their bullpen Thursday after starter Alex Wood threw two pitches and didn’t return after a two-hour, six-minute rain delay.
So between the wet field, the fact that no one seemed to be able to communicate the coming storm to the umpiring crew, and the normal Coors Field issues… the altitude… the Braves ended up being compelled to use a pitcher who had zero experience in the thin air (and hardly any major league experience, period) on a sloppy track. “I did all my homework and today was just going over everything”. Colorado RF Carlos Gonzalez has recorded three hits in three of his past four games.3.
Braves: RHP Shelby Miller (5-4, 2.07 ERA) is 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA in three starts against the Rockies.
LaTroy Hawkins (2-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory.
Entering Friday, the Braves were 10-5 against the Rockies since the beginning of the 2013 season, but had lost three in a row against them, all at Coors Field.
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.
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 replaced LHP Manny Banuelos.
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This is devastating news for Grilli, who had been enjoying a strong first season as a member of the Braves with 24 saves.
