ATLANTA — In an exciting showdown at Truist Park, Atlanta Braves’ designated hitter Marcel Ozuna crushed a pivotal three-run homer in the seventh inning, propelling his team to a decisive 12-4 victory against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night. Trailing by three runs earlier in the game, the Braves demonstrated resilience and determination in their comeback effort.
This turning point came when Ozuna launched Victor Vodnik’s pitch deep into left field, allowing his teammates Alex Verdugo and Matt Olson to cross the plate, giving the Braves the lead that they maintained for the remainder of the game. Meanwhile, for the Colorado team, Ryan McMahon shined with three hits, including a two-run homer that set the tone early in the first inning.
The Braves kept the pressure on the Rockies, especially when Michael Harris II hit a game-tying three-run homer off Jake Bird in the sixth inning, bringing energy and momentum to the home team and their fans alike.
One of the game’s thrilling moments was Ronald Acuña Jr.’s impressive display of athleticism. Upon doubling off German Márquez’s first pitch, Acuña quickly scored on Olson’s sacrifice fly. He continued to showcase his prowess by sending singles in both the third and fifth innings and successfully stealing second base in the fifth — a significant achievement as it was his first steal attempt since undergoing left knee surgery. Jordan Beck of Colorado made an acrobatic leap in the seventh inning, snatching what could have been another hit for Acuña.
Contributing further to the Braves’ victory, Olson achieved three RBIs on three hits. Additionally, McMahon’s shot off Bryce Elder showcased some power with a 441-foot blast into center field. It’s worth noting that Enyel De Los Santos made a notable contribution by pitching a flawless seventh inning, securing his team’s control over the game.
In an emotional moment for the fans, Orlando Arcia, who had recently signed with the Rockies after being released by the Braves, received a warm welcome back to Atlanta. During his first at-bat in the second inning, he paused to acknowledge the crowd’s applause by tipping his helmet before hitting a single past shortstop Nick Allen.
As the Rockies strive to turn their season around, they endured more disappointment as they now stand at a challenging 6-29 on the road, marking one of their worst road starts in team history. Previously, the 2001 Rockies had a similar slump, finishing 6-28. As for the Braves, they are poised to continue their momentum into their Saturday matchup when right-hander Spencer Strider aims for his first win of the season against Colorado’s Chase Dollander in the ongoing three-game series.