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Hawpe's pinch homer helps Rockies top Braves

Sep 24, 2006 - 11:18 PM DENVER (Ticker) -- Brad Hawpe ruined an outstanding day by Brian McCann.

Hawpe's pinch two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning helped the Colorado Rockies overcome a seven-run deficit and post a 9-8 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

McCann hit two home runs and drove in five runs for Atlanta, which squandered a 7-0 lead.

After Jamey Carroll hit a one-out single, Hawpe drilled a 1-2 pitch from reliever Tyler Yates (2-5) over the right field wall for his 20th homer.

"Thats the biggest hit he got for us all season," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's had some big hits, too. It was a big swing of the bat. He really battled the guy."

"It was nice today," Hawpe said. "You get the opportunity to come through like that, just keep plugging along and keep going. It's one thing I feel I can bring to the table is the bat, so it's nice to be swinging it."

Jeremy Affeldt (4-1) got the final out of the eighth for the win and Brian Fuentes pitched around two singles in the ninth for his 29th save. They were among five relievers who held the Braves to one run in five innings.

Matt Holliday hit a grand slam in the fifth, pulling the Rockies within a run, and Clint Barmes had a two-out RBI double in the seventh that made it 7-7. Holliday's blast was his 32nd of the season and fifth against Atlanta.

"You knew something electric was going to have to happen for us to get back into that game," Hurdle said. "Holliday was able to make it happen. For us to take the first lead in the bottom of the eighth inning was pretty impressive."

Jeff Baker had three hits, including his fifth home run, for the Rockies, who trailed, 7-0, entering the bottom of the fourth.

McCann's first-inning grand slam staked the Braves to a 5-0 lead. His 23rd homer in the fourth gave him the most of any catcher in the major leagues. San Diego's Mike Piazza has 22.

"It seemed like whoever was up last was going to win," McCann said. "No lead is safe here. Individual accomplishments don't matter to me without the win."

Chipper Jones and Edgar Renteria also homered for the Braves.