Atlanta Braves’ Adrelton Simmons, left, is congratulated by Braves’ Chris Johnson after Simmons grand slam home run that scored Johnson, Evan Gattis (24) and Tommy La Stella in the first inning of a baseball game in Denver on Tuesday, June 10, 2014.DENVER – The Atlanta Braves scored early and often and they needed nearly every one of those runs to beat the Colorado Rockies.
Andrelton Simmons hit his first career grand slam as part of a seven-run first inning, and the Braves held on to beat Colorado 13-10 on Tuesday night.
Evan Gattis had a home run among his three hits and Freddie Freeman also homered for the Braves, who had season-highs of 16 hits and 13 runs but had to sweat out a win in the late innings.
“Nothing surprises me in this ballpark,” Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “I’ve been in this office in the same situation with a loss hanging over your head.”
The teams combined for 29 hits and neither starter made it out of the fifth inning. Rockies right-hander Juan Nicasio lasted just 3 2-3 innings and Atlanta’s Mike Minor left after giving up two hits to start the fifth.