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Francis, Rockies seek second straight win vs. Braves

Sep 23, 2006 - 3:29 PM Atlanta (75-79) at Colorado (72-82) 8:05 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies are out of the playoff hunt and hope to add the Atlanta Brave to that same scenario.

The Rockies face off against the Braves in the third game of their four-game series on Saturday. Atlanta stands six games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League wild card race.

Todd Helton had an two-run RBI double and rookie Jeff Baker drove in three runs to help lift Colorado to a 6-4 triumph on Friday. Baker is batting .354 in 10 games with four homers and 16 RBI since being called up.

Colorado's Jeff Francis (12-11, 3.88 ERA) was stellar in his last start, yielding one run and three hits with five strikeouts in eight innings of a 6-1 triumph at Arizona. The 6-5 Canadian is just one win shy from passing Brian Bohanon for the most in franchise history by a lefthander.

The 25-year-old has an 1-1 record with 8.10 ERA in two career starts when facing Atlanta. Francis will be making his first appearance vs. the Braves this season.

Kyle Davies (3-5, 7.18) take the mound for Atlanta. On Monday, Davies earned his first win since coming back from groin surgery having surrendered one run in five frames against Washington. In his lone career appearance vs. the Rockies, the righthander gave up five runs in 5 2/3 innings.

The Braves need to win seven of their remaining eight contests to ensure their 16th straight winning campaign.