DENVER (AP) — Adam Duvall capped a four-run 11th inning with a two-run homer and the Atlanta Braves spoiled the debut of Colorado’s new — and very green — “City Connect” uniforms by beating the Rockies 6-2 on Saturday night.
Marcell Ozuna and William Contreras each hit a two-out, run-scoring double off Jhoulys Chacín (3-2) to set the stage for Duvall.
Duvall's blast finished a sensational night on the mound for the Braves. Starter Spencer Strider and six relievers held the Rockies to three hits. A.J. Minter (2-0) earned the win and Jackson Stephens closed it out with a 1-2-3 11th.
Both teams scored a run in the 10th — Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. on a sacrifice fly and Colorado's Elias Díaz with a single.
It was the second straight unconventionally low-scoring, extra-inning affair at Coors Field. On Friday, it was 0-0 going into the 10th before the Braves won 3-1. This marked only the fifth time a game at Coors Field has gone into extra innings tied at 1-1, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
Riley hit his 14th homer of the season, a solo shot in the sixth to tied the game.
Kyle Freeland scattered five hits over seven innings and struck out three in a no-decision. It was perhaps fitting he was the starter for the unveiling of the team's new jerseys, given he's a Denver native.
Usually decked out in purple, the Rockies wore green-and-white tops that featured a silhouette of the state’s snow-covered mountains. The look was complete with green pants, white belt and a yellow ’5280′ patch on the right sleeve in honor of the city’s Mile-High nickname.
Strider set the tone with four solid innings, allowing two hits and striking out five.
Colorado got on the board in the fourth when Strider's pitch got by Contreras and allowed Brendan Rodgers to score from third.
Before the game, several of the Braves players were taking close-range grounders from assistant coach Ron Washington. It showed as the Braves made several sensational plays in the field.
The biggest was turned in by shortstop Dansby Swanson with two outs and the bases loaded in the third. Ryan McMahon sent a hard grounder that was tailing away from Swanson. He knocked it down, picked it up and threw out McMahon at first to end the threat.
McMahon slammed his helmet in frustration.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Braves: LHP Tyler Matzek (shoulder inflammation) has started his throwing progression. “Everything so far has been really good,” manager Brian Snitker said. “I mean, until he gets up there and starts turning it loose, we won’t know.” ... OF Eddie Rosario (blurred vision, swollen right retina) has been hitting in the cage.
STREAKS
Rodgers had Colorado's first hit of the game in the fourth. He saw his 20-game hitting streak end Friday. ... With two walks, Rockies outfielder Connor Joe extended his on-base streak to 31 straight games.
BRYANT UPDATE
Rockies outfielder Kris Bryant is steadily mending from a back issue that landed him on the injured list for a second time. He’s been performing medicine-ball tosses to mirror his swing, playing catch and doing some running. There remains no timetable for his return, Rockies manager Bud Black said.
“He’s feeling more confident," Black added. "He’s feeling stronger.”
UP NEXT
The Braves will throw righty Charlie Morton (3-3, 5.47) to close out the four-game series Sunday. The Rockies will go with righty Ryan Feltner (1-1, 3.71), who picked up his first major league win the last time out.
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