Rockies Rally From 9-Runs Down To Defeat Braves 12-10

Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Carlos Gonzalez smacked a game-tying two-run single in the eighth and Troy Tulowitzki put the Rockies in front, as Colorado erased a nine-run deficit on the way to a 12-10 win over the Atlanta Braves.

It was a stunning effort from the Rockies, who equaled the largest comeback in team history. Colorado trailed 10-1 after three innings, but chipped away and faced a 10-8 deficit entering the home eighth.

The Rockies loaded the bases with two outs against rookie Jonny Venters (4-2), and Gonzalez lined a single to center off the end of his bat to tie the game. Tulowitzki and Todd Helton followed with RBI singles off Kyle Farnsworth to give Colorado a two-run lead.

Helton finished with three hits, including a triple, for Colorado, which completed the three-game sweep and won its fourth in a row. Dexter Fowler added a triple, walked twice and drove in two, while Seth Smith went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.

Brian McCann had a season-high four hits and drove in a run for the Braves, who entered Wednesday's contest with a 2 1/2-game lead over Philadelphia atop the NL East.

But the Rockies started their comeback in the bottom of the fourth, when Tulowitzki doubled, moved to third on Helton's single and scored on Ian Stewart's sacrifice fly.

In the fifth, pitcher Matt Reynolds walked with one out before Eric Young Jr. singled. Fowler then hit the ball to the left-center gap, and Melky Cabrera wasn't able to cut it off as he ran over. That allowed two runs to score, and Fowler crossed the plate when the relay throw bounced into foul territory, getting the Rockies within 10-5.

After Reynolds worked a perfect top of the sixth, Colorado went back to work in the bottom half, which Helton led off by tripling to center. Two batters later, Smith doubled to plate Helton and chase Braves starter Jair Jurrjens, who allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings.

Peter Moylan entered but was ineffective, as he walked Chris Iannetta before pinch-hitter Ryan Spilborghs ripped a two-run double to center.

An Iannetta walk and Melvin Mora single put two on with one out for Young, who hit a grounder to second. But Omar Infante's throw to second base was askew, and the Braves came up with only one out as Alex Gonzalez managed to get his foot on the bag. Venters then walked Fowler to load the bases for Gonzalez.

Colorado was able to get the comeback win thanks to its bullpen. Reynolds threw three scoreless innings before Joe Beimel tossed 1 2/3 shutout frames. Matt Belisle (6-4) held the Braves scoreless over the final 1 1/3 innings to take the win.

Rockies starter Esmil Rogers, on the other hand, allowed seven runs on eight hits in only 1 2/3 innings. The rookie was making his fourth start since being recalled from the minors, and struggled from the outset.

Jason Heyward tripled with one out in the first inning and scored on Martin Prado's base hit through the right side. After McCann singled, Derrek Lee's check-swing groundout plated a run. Cabrera's short fly ball to right fell in for a double as McCann scored for a 3-0 lead.

With two out in the second, Prado hit a two-run double, McCann followed with an RBI single and Lee got McCann home with a double. That made it a 7-0 game and forced a pitching change, as Manuel Corpas came in from the bullpen.

The last time the Braves were swept was from June 22-24, when they lost three in Chicago against the White Sox...Helton's triple was his first of the season...Lee had two RBI to reach 1,000 for his career...Colorado won the season series, 4-2.