Atlanta – The scoreboard wasn’t necessary. The dancing, pointing and smiling at first base told the story.
The Braves let the Rockies back into the game today, which turned out to be a tease as they ran their hearts through a blender in the 10th inning. Shortstop Yunel Escobar, the injured Edgar Renteria’s replacement, singled to left off Taylor Buchholz, shoving the Braves to a dramatic 6-5 victory.
Jeff Francoeur doubled with one out, setting up Escobar. He stroked an 0-2 fastball into left field, leaving Matt Holliday no play. The Rockies lost ground in the NL West and the game despite two home runs from Ryan Spilborghs.
The two teams staged a boxing match camouflaged as a baseball game. The Braves and Rockies traded punches, each enjoying the other tasting leather. But there were no haymakers, just repeated body blows.
The Rockies, who finished the trip with a 3-3 record, led 1-0, 2-1 and 4-3. Their most explosive and costly exchange came in the sixth. They scored a pair of runs on a RBI single by Todd Helton and a double from Garrett Atkins. With bases loaded and no outs, Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Lannetta, mired in a 1-for-31 slump that has jeopardized his roster spot, struck out and Aaron Cook flew out to douse the rally.
The Braves struck back against Cook immediately, posting two runs. Both Corky Miller and Willie Harris doubled in the inning. Cook wasn’t nearly as dominant as he was over his last five starts, lacking the ability to produce a strikeout. He lasted just 5 1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on 10 hits, saved by two doubleplays.
With the Rockies down 5-4 in the seventh, Jamey Carroll tripled and scored on Todd Helton’s single. It was his second hit and second RBI after entering the game 2-for-15 on the road trip with one RBI.
Staff Writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
