Tuesday March 19th, 2024 2:07AM

Story, Arenado homer in Rockies' 4-3 win over Braves

By The Associated Press

DENVER — Jon Gray pitched seven strong innings, Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story hit two-run homers off relievers after starter Julio Teheran left because of an injury, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 on Friday night.

Gray allowed one run and six hits with eight strikeouts, helping the Rockies hand the Braves their eighth straight loss at Coors Field.

Teheran left the game after facing one batter in the fifth with what the team said was right lat tightness. His status was described as day to day.

It wasn't clear whether Teheran hurt himself trying to run down Mark Reynolds' infield hit or if he was injured in the course of delivering his final pitch of the night.

Teheran walked off the field under his own power and was relieved by Joel De La Cruz.

Trailing 1-0 in the sixth, the Rockies went in front behind a four-run burst. DJ LeMahieu started the sixth with a walk and Arenado, coming off a scheduled rest day Thursday, drove a 2-2 offering from De La Cruz (0-3) into the bleachers in left-center field for his 24th home run.

Dario Alvarez relieved and Carlos Gonzalez singled ahead of the home run by Story. The Rockies' rookie has 24 homers on the season.

Jace Peterson connected for a two-run homer off Jason Motte in the eighth, pulling the Braves within a run.

Carlos Estevez allowed a double to Adonis Garcia and walked Ender Inciarte to start the ninth. The runners advanced on a sacrifice and Erick Aybar walked to load the bases before Estevez recovered to get Chase d'Arnaud on a popup and strike out Peterson for his eighth save in 11 chances.

Braves pitchers picked off two baserunners, costing the Rockies scoring opportunities.

Charlie Blackmon singled to lead off the game, extending his hitting streak to 14 games. He stole second but Teheran got him out with a pickoff throw from the mound, allowing the Braves pitcher to withstand Arenado's two-out triple unscathed by getting Gonzalez to ground out.

In the fifth, De La Cruz, who had just relieved Teheran, made his first throw from the mound to first base and Freddie Freeman tagged a diving Mark Reynolds before he could get his hand back on the bag. Nick Hundley followed with a double and was stranded at third when Blackmon flied out to end the inning.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: RHP Shea Simmons, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, was slated to make his first rehab appearance on Saturday for the Gulf Coast Rookie League Braves. He's expected to throw one inning. ... RHP Dan Winkler, in the midst of a comeback from a right elbow fracture, threw on the side Friday and provided there are no setbacks, team officials could put together a minor league rehab schedule for him.

Rockies: LF Gerardo Parra, sidelined since mid-June because of a sprained left ankle, is stepping up his conditioning workouts and could soon begin a rehab assignment. ... LHP Chris Rusin, placed on the 15-day DL in early June with a left shoulder strain, is nearing a return. He's expected to be re-evaluated by training staff after a scheduled rehab assignment on Sunday.

UP NEXT

Braves: RHP Matt Wisler (4-9) has been hurt recently by the home run ball, especially on the road, where he has allowed at least two homers in each of his past three starts away from home.

Rockies: LHP Tyler Anderson (2-3) has won two starts since dropping his first three career decisions.

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