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Braves pound out 17 hits in win over Rockies

Apr 28, 2007 - 7:05 AM DENVER (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Braves had no trouble figuring out Jeff Francis and the Colorado Rockies' pitchers.

Andruw Jones hit a three-run homer and Chipper Jones drove in a pair of runs as the Braves pounded out 17 hits en route to a 9-7 victory over the Rockies.

Andruw Jones, who had not homered since April 15 against Florida, broke out of his power drought with a three-run shot in the sixth inning off Rockies reliever Ryan Speier.

Andruw Jones has raised his average from .170 to .231 since April 17.

"We had 14 hits and only three runs prior to Andruw's homer," said Jeff Francoeur, who had two hits. "We need to do a little better job than that. We were able to get some more runs which was big for us."

Six Braves hitters had multiple hits, including a 4-for-5 effort from Edgar Renteria and three hits, including a solo homer, from back-up first baseman Craig Wilson.

"Wilson had a great night with three hits," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "Chipper and Andruw did as well. (Kelly) Johnson was on base nearly every time and Edgar had five bullets off of the bat. Great hitting but all that matters is that (win)."

Francis lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs and 11 hits. Colorado's top starter struggled through his third straight rough start and has allowed 17 runs in 16 1/3 innings over his last three outings - losing all three. Six relievers combined to pitch the final 3 2/3 innings.

"I felt good and strong out there," Francis said. "It's just something's keeping me from getting the ball where I need to. It always feels like I'm battling against myself and not against the other team. They're just making me pay for my own mistakes, that's all."

Atlanta got on the board in the top of the fourth, when Kelly Johnson's single drove in Matt Diaz with the game's first run. Renteria followed with a single to center, plating Johnson.

The Rockies scored three runs in the sixth inning on RBI singles by Todd Helton, Matt Holliday and Yorvit Torrealba.

"We weren't able to stop the Braves at critical times," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "We felt like we could come back and get some runs but we didn't get as many as we'd have liked early."

Braves starter Chuck James (3-2) lasted long enough to pick up the win. The young lefthander allowed four runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Colorado mounted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth, scoring three runs off Braves closer Bob Wickman, but the deficit was too much.

After Steve Colyer came in and issued a walk, Peter Moylan got Holliday to fly out to deep right to end the game and pick up his first career save.

"Obviously in this ballpark you feel like any ball can get out of here," Francoeur said. "He hit it in almost a perfect spot and I knew I had to get it because the runner was going to score from first. It was a big win for us with the way we lost last night."

"Obviously Bob is going to save a bunch of games for us this year and it is nice to be able to help him out," Moylan said. "It was a little role reversal tonight. It was a great opportunity to show him that we can help out if we are needed."