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Rockies best Braves behind Carlos Gonzalez, Chad Bettis

20th homer of year for Car-Go
Colorado Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez hit a three run home run off Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz during the sixth inning to break open a scoreless game Thursday.

DENVER

Carlos Gonzalez hit a three-run homer to break a scoreless tie in the sixth inning, Chad Bettis threw efficiently into the seventh and the Colorado Rockies beat the Atlanta Braves 7-3 on Thursday night.

Gonzalez lined a 97 mph fastball from Mike Foltynewicz (3-4) over the fence in right-center. It was Gonzalez’s 20th homer of the season and first since participating in the All-Star Home Run Derby.

Bettis (8-6) allowed one run over 6 2-3 innings. He was cruising through Atlanta’s lineup until hitting a bump in the seventh when he gave up an RBI double to A.J. Pierzynski.

Trailing 7-1 in the ninth, the Braves scored twice before the Rockies brought in closer Carlos Estevez with two outs. He got Jace Peterson to roll out to end the game and earn his seventh save.

The Rockies have won seven in a row over Atlanta at Coors Field.

Foltynewicz was both electric and erratic in 5 2/3 innings. He didn’t allow a hit until DJ LeMahieu’s leadoff single in the fourth and struck out five. He walked five.

His most costly mistake was the fastball to Gonzalez, who has six seasons with at least 20 homers.

Bettis and Foltynewicz matched up last Saturday in a game the Rockies won 4-3. Foltynewicz was sensational in that contest, shutting down Colorado for seven innings before running out of steam and allowing three runs in the eighth. Neither starter figured in the decision.

Pinch-hitter Mark Reynolds added some insurance with a solo homer in the seventh that went an estimated 484 feet. It was his first pinch-hit homer in two years.

There was a crazy play in the eighth with runners on second and third. On a single by Nick Hundley, Trevor Story scored easily but Daniel Descalso nearly collided with shortstop Erick Aybar as Descalso took off from second. Descalso was thrown out at the plate, but Aybar was called for obstruction. Hundley was credited with one RBI and Aybar was given an error.

Pierzynski was ejected for arguing the call. Anthony Recker replaced him and had an RBI double in the ninth, part of a two-run inning off Rockies reliever Jason Motte.

Rockies backup catcher Tony Wolters wore a bandage on his chin after recently fouling off a bunt attempt in batting practice that struck him in the face.

“You can’t teach stuff like that,” manager Walt Weiss joked.

It didn’t bother him, as Wolters delivered a pinch-hit, RBI double in the eighth.

Weiss said outfielder Gerardo Parra (sprained left ankle) is getting closer to a rehab assignment. “We have that in our sights,” Weiss said.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado got a rare day off Thursday after struggling at the plate this month. He hasn’t homered since July 5 at San Francisco.

“I run him out there pretty regularly. He’s very durable,” Weiss said.



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