Denver, CO (Sports Network) – Dexter Fowler’s two-run single in the eighth gave the Rockies some breathing room in support of Jorge De La Rosa’s solid start in a 5-2 victory over Atlanta.
De La Rosa (5-4) scattered six hits and two runs with seven strikeouts and one walk over seven frames. Huston Street pitched the ninth for his 12th save of the season.
Eric Young, Jr. finished 3-for-4 and Carlos Gonzalez clubbed a two-run shot for the Rockies, who have won three straight.
Derek Lowe (11-12) gave up three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and two walks over six frames in the loss. Omar Infante extended his career-best hitting streak to 13 games, while Alex Gonzalez homered and drove in both runs for the Braves, who have dropped three of four. Atlanta sits two games in front of Philadelphia in the National League East, as the Phillies are currently in extra innings versus Houston.
Colorado scored a pair of runs in the first to take an early lead. Young drove a ground-rule double to left and scampered to third on a Fowler groundout. Carlos Gonzalez followed with a long moon shot to right-center well into the seats.
Alex Gonzalez’s 21st home run of the season cut the deficit in half during the top of the second.
Seth Smith backlegged a low-and-in pitch off the facade fronting the second deck in right-center during the sixth frame for a 3-1 edge. The Braves again drew closer thanks to Alex Gonzalez’s bat in the seventh, as Matt Diaz took second on a wild pitch during the at-bat and scored when the shortstop singled to center for a one-run difference.
Colorado added two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to open a three- run lead. Ian Stewart singled with one out and moved to second on Miguel Olivo’s base hit. With two on and two outs, Clint Barmes struck out, but the ball got by the catcher Brian McCann, loading the bases for Fowler. The outfielder delivered with a two-run single to left-center field for a 5-2 game.
Alex Gonzalez hit his fourth home run since coming over to the Braves…Smith smashed his 15th home run of the campaign…Colorado has won 3-of-5 matchups with Atlanta this season…Lowe has lost three straight games.