Rockies 3, Braves 2
DENVER -- Carlos Gonzalez blooped a single with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth, giving the Colorado Rockies a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.
The ball landed in short left-center, beyond shortstop Andrelton Simmons and onrushing center fielder Cameron Maybin, who had the best chance to make the catch, but couldn't quite get to it.
Left fielder Drew Stubbs led off the ninth with a bouncer to first that became an infield single. Closer Jason Grilli ran to cover first but went down suddenly in severe pain and had to be taken off the field on a cart.
David Aardsma relieved Grilli (3-4) and hit center fielder Charlie Blackmon with an 0-and-2 pitch. Aardsma struck out third baseman Nolan Arenado but walked shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to load the bases for Gonzalez.
The winning pitcher was LaTroy Hawkins (2-1), who retired the side in order in the ninth.
The Braves left the bases loaded in the eighth.
Right fielder Nick Markakis led off with a single. First baseman Chris Johnson drove a ball high into the right-field corner and high off the wall, but was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double.
Third baseman Juan Uribe was intentionally walked, and when Kelly Johnson came up to pinch-hit, left-hander Christian Friedrich came on to face him.
Johnson hit a bouncer to first baseman Ben Paulsen. He threw to third base but Markakis got back just ahead of the throw. Friedrich retired shortstop Andrelton Simmons on a fly to short center and struck out catcher Ryan Lavarnway to end the threat.
The Rockies failed to capitalize on a scoring chance in the seventh.
With one out, Blackmon tripled into right field corner for his third hit of the game. Arodys Vizcaino intentionally walked Arenado, but struck out Tulowitzki.
Luis Avilan, the only left-hander in the Braves' bullpen, came on to face the left-handed hitting Gonzalez, who hit a two-run home run in the first, and struck him out on three pitches.
Rex Brothers, recalled Saturday, made his 2015 debut in the seventh and showed the command problems that plagued him last season and in spring training, causing him to begin this year at Triple-A Albuquerque.
Brothers retired the first batter he faced, but then issued consecutive walks and was replaced by Rafael Betancourt. He retired center fielder Cameron Maybin on a line drive to left and got second baseman Pedro Ciriaco to pop out.
Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa gave up two runs four hits, two of them solo home runs, in six innings. He had two walks and seven strikeouts.
De La Rosa struck out five of the first six batters he faced, the exception being Uribe, who hit his eighth home run.
Catcher Ryan Lavarnway led off the third with his first home run, tying the game, 2-2.
Right fielder Gonzalez hit his 13th home run, a two-run shot over the wall in center field in the first. The ball landed about where Gonzalez went deep Friday night and was his third home run in six games.
Those were the only runs allowed by starter Matt Wisler, who gave up six hits in six innings, with three walks and seven strikeouts.
NOTES: Rockies LHP Rex Brothers was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque, where he has spent the entire season, going 4-1 with three saves and a 4.71 ERA in 32 games. LHP Aaron Laffey was designated for assignment after making his Rockies debut on Friday night. ... Braves RHP Shelby Miller is 0-1 with a 9.39 ERA (eight earned runs in 7 2/3 innings) and has allowed 17 hits in two starts at Coors Field after losing there Friday and giving up 11 hits and five earned runs in five innings. In two starts at home against the Rockies, Miller is 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA (15 innings, one earned run), allowing six hits. ... Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado is the fifth player in franchise history with 24 or more home runs and 69 or more RBIs before the All-Star break. ... LHP Alex Wood will start Sunday after throwing two pitches on Thursday before a 2-hour, 6-minute rain delay ended his outing.