So his departure made matters considerably easier for the Rockies’ hitters.Jon Gray (6-4), who matched Teheran with seven scoreless innings Sunday, held the Braves to one run and six hits in seven innings with one walk and eight strikeouts – all swinging as he overmatched the Braves with his slider.Gray improved to 4-0 with a 4.22 ERA in eight starts this season at Coors Field.
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The Braves scored in the first inning when Freddie Freeman hit a triple that was dropped by left fielder Ryan Raburn after a hard catch attempt on the warning track. Snitker said Teheran could be available for his next scheduled start. “His intensity has been up there. But his stuff is so good he can punch guys out and get out of an inning unscathed”.
Left-hander Chris Rusin, working his way back from a shoulder strain injury that has kept him out since June 8, will pitch a final rehab start for Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday, Weiss said.
The Double-A Eastern League announced Friday that the Hartford Yard Goats, the Rockies’ affiliate, will play out the rest of their season on the road. Since then, though, he has gone 6-3 with a 3.77 ERA over 13 starts since earning his first victory May 13.
“That’s a great growth opportunity right there for Estevez”, Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.
“Confidence is just building, and I’m looking to even build it more”, Gray said.
Teheran looked to be well on his way to a strong outing Friday night before experiencing what the Braves described as “right lat tightness”. His status was described as day to day. “Did everything, but felt they’d get a better read (Saturday)”.
Mark Reynolds beat out an infield single that Teheran had tried to chase down from the mound.
“I was feeling a little discomfort and there was some pain”, he said.
Teheran walked off the field under his own power and was relieved by Joel De La Cruz. Braves RHP Shea Simmons, who underwent Tommy John surgery February 12, 2015, will make his first rehab appearance Saturday for the rookie level Gulf Coast League Braves and throw one inning and/or 20 pitches. The Rockies’ rookie has 24 homers. Left fielder Jace Peterson’s throw home nailed Descalso, but the runner was ruled safe because of the obstruction call.
Trailing 7-1 in the ninth, the Braves scored twice before the Rockies brought in closer Carlos Estevez with two outs.
The Rockies sloppy baserunning cost them multiple early chances at runs.
Charlie Blackmon singled to lead off the game, extending his hitting streak to 14 games. He stole second but Teheran got him out with a pickoff throw from the mound, allowing the Braves pitcher to withstand Arenado’s two-out triple unscathed by getting Gonzalez to ground out.
Mark Reynolds’ 10 homer of the season was majestic. On a single by Nick Hundley, Trevor Story scored easily but Daniel Descalso almost collided with shortstop Erick Aybar as Descalso took off from second.
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Braves: RHP Shea Simmons, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, was slated to make his first rehab appearance on Saturday for the Gulf Coast Rookie League Braves. He gave up a season-worst four runs in 6 1/3 innings while defeating Tampa Bay in his last turn Monday.
