Michael Harris II and Marcell Ozuna each blasted three-run home runs, powering the Atlanta Braves to a 12-4 comeback win over the Colorado Rockies on Friday in the first game of their three-game set.
The Braves have now won three of their last four games, while the Rockies have dropped six of their past seven. Atlanta holds a 3-1 edge in the season series.
Atlanta evened the score at 4-4 in the sixth inning with two outs, as Michael Harris launched his sixth home run of the season—a three-run shot to right field off Jake Bird, who had gone 10 straight appearances without allowing an earned run. It marked Harris’ third homer in his last six games.
Marcell Ozuna put the Braves ahead in the seventh, also with two outs, blasting his 11th homer of the season—and his first since June 1—into the front row of the left field bleachers off reliever Victor Vodnik (1-2). Ozuna later tacked on a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
Enyel De Los Santos (2-2) earned the win, while Raisel Iglesias and Dylan Lee each threw a scoreless inning to close out the game.
Neither starting pitcher earned a decision in the game. Atlanta’s Bryce Elder lasted 3 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits and three walks, while striking out two. Colorado’s Germán Márquez pitched five solid innings, allowing one run on six hits and one walk, and recorded seven strikeouts.
The Rockies jumped ahead early with two runs in the first inning, as Ryan McMahon crushed a center-cut changeup 441 feet to straightaway center for a two-run homer—his ninth of the season and third in his last six games. McMahon finished 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
Atlanta responded in the bottom half of the inning with Ronald Acuña Jr. scoring on Matt Olson’s sacrifice fly to shallow left. Acuña had a strong night, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and his first stolen base of the season.
Colorado extended its lead to 4-1 in the fourth, forcing Elder out of the game after RBI singles by Hunter Goodman and McMahon.
The Braves broke it open with a five-run eighth inning, taking advantage of three defensive miscues by the Rockies to seal the victory.
