Gonzalez homers to lead Rockies over Braves 5

Shelby Miller has been one of the best pitchers in the National League this year, and he’s deservedly heading to his first All-Star game on Tuesday, but the Rockies’ own first time All-Stars got the best of him in the first inning.

Carlos Gonzalez homered and Colorado leaned on a pitcher by committee approach that featured two newcomers to beat the Braves for a fourth straight time, their longest streak ever against Atlanta. Grilli (3-4) tumbled to the ground and suffered the injury to his lower left as he ran toward first to cover the bag when Drew Stubbs, the first batter he faced, hit a grounder that first baseman Chris Johnson ranged to his right to field.

Different process, same result: the Braves offense can’t seem to give Shelby Miller a lead, and the Braves lose 5-3 to the Rockies for the second straight game. The ex- Cub definitely made himself some new fans last night, requiring only 34 pitches to get through three scoreless innings.

Ok, but seriously – how excited are you about this All Star break, and how badly do the Colorado Rockies need this damn thing?! He allowed 11 hits and struck out seven. Laffey spent one day with the Rockies but it was long enough to get the win pitching in relief Friday night despite allowing a three-run homer in Colorado’s 5-3 victory over the Braves.

Laffey, signed to a minor league contract last November, appeared in 19 games with Triple A Albuquerque, including five starts, and was 2-3 with a 4.91 ERA. Both of the hits Logan surrendered were to left handed batters, but he struck out Cameron Maybin (a righty) so there isn’t much to say about his outing except that he’s just not now a very good pitcher, even when used properly. Brandon Barnes followed with a single, and then was caught stealing, Charlie Blackmon tripled and scored on LeMahieu’s double which hit the warning track and bounced into the stands.

Braves starter Miller and Rockies shortstop Daniel Descalso were teammates with St. Louis before the Cardinals parted with both players after last season. “This is a tough place to pitch for sure”.

“He ran out of gas a bit in the sixth inning but he threw the ball well”, catcher A.J. It’s a big outfield. “The balls just fall in there”.

Leading off the fifth, Gonzalez jumped on the first pitch he saw from Miller, and drove it to straightaway center into the evergreeens beyond the wall for his 12th home run. Braves LHP Josh Outman (thoracic outlet syndrome) began a rehab assignment with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Braves and pitched one scoreless inning….