Colorado Rockies demolish the Atlanta Braves, 11-3

The Rockies had never swept the Braves in a four-games series in the teams' history, but a huge offensive showing put an end to that as they beat Atlanta 11-3 in this afternoon's game. The team recorded 55 hits over the series, including 17 in today's game. Every starting player except Chad Bettis had at least one hit, with five Rockies recording multiple hits.

Chad Bettis took the mound for the Rockies and got things going with a strike out of Jace Peterson. Although Bettis subsequently allowed a double and walk, he was able to get out of the inning with strikeouts of Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe. Bettis tacked on another K in the top of the second before the Rockies got the scoring going in the bottom of the second.

Nolan Arenado led the inning off with a single up the middle and advanced to third when CarGo singled on the first pitch of his at-bat to right. Nick Hundley then picked up his first hit of the day with an RBI single that plated Arenado and moved CarGo to second. Drew Stubbs, who had a nice day, showed some patience and drew a walk. With the bases loaded, the Rockies' interestingly called for Chad Bettis to bunt with one out. I suppose the idea was to concede the out at home and avoid the risk of grounding into a double play so as to bring up Charlie Blackmon. Whatever the case, Blackmon did indeed come to bat with two outs and knocked in two with a single to left.

Bettis struck out another two batters in the third and Stubbs tripled in the bottom of the fourth, but otherwise the scoring was kept at a pause until the sixth. Bettis allowed a leadoff single and then walked Nick Markakis before Kelly Johnson singled home Eury Perez. A single and ground-rule double tied the game, but Bettis was able to escape the inning without further damage.

The Rockies responded in the bottom of the inning with two straight singles. Stubbs advanced the runners with a sac bunt before Charlie Blackmon picked up two more RBIs with another single. Then, with Blackmon and LeMahieu on, Tulo hit his tenth home run of the year to extend the Rockies lead to five. The Rockies added to their lead in the seventh courtesy of a two-run homer from Drew Stubbs, who finished the day 2-for-2 with two RBIs, a walk, and a sac bunt.

Chris Rusin pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth to hold the Braves to three runs. The Rockies tacked on an eleventh run in the bottom of the eighth for good measure when Arenado singled home DJ. Rex Brothers came in to relieve Chris Rusin and mercifully pitched a scoreless inning. He did walk a batter, but also struck out one.

Great day for the Rockies offense and for the guy who caught two homers. Bettis improves to 5-4 and the Rockies take some positive vibes into the All-Star break.