With the bullpen a bit tired, Alex Wood came through after a rocky start. Carlos Gonzalez hit a sac fly in the first to open the scoring, and after a home run by Freddie Freeman tied it in the bottom of the first, Nolan Arenado hit a home run for the second consecutive game, making the score 3-1. That was it for the Rockies as Wood went 5 more innings, strking out 7 and walking one.
The Braves sure got it going, though. Justin Upton, who had 2 doubles on the night, used one to bring the score to 3-2, but it was another 6-run inning from the Braves' offense that busted things open. In the bottom of the fourth, Dan Uggla doubled before Andrelton Simmons and Wood were retired. But then Jason Heyward singled. And Justin Upton doubled again. And Freeman was intentionally walked. And Evan Gattis singled. And Brian McCann hit a three-run shot to make it 8-3.
After a few innings of generally nothing happening, Freeman added a second blast, this one a three-run shot, to put the Braves way, way ahead, and Alex Wood would get his first MLB win. Anthony Varvaro finished it up a relatively easy win for the Braves.
Despite all the offense, the play of the night was on defense. With Michael Cuddyer on first, Wilin Rosario laced a double to the gap. Heyward overran the ball, but he quickly threw the ball back in. A perfect strike on the relay throw from Simmons and a quick tag by McCann cut down Cuddyer at the plate. It was spectacular, and I'm not sure any other shortstop makes that play. Spectacular.
With the win tonight, the Braves guarantee themselves another month with a record over .500.
Win Expectancy Chart