Jurrjens, Braves dominate Rockies 8-1

ATLANTA - Jair Jurrjens pitched seven strong innings and Casey Kotchman had three hits and three RBIs to help the Atlanta Braves beat the Colorado Rockies 8-1 on Tuesday night.

Jurrjens (4-2) lowered his ERA to 1.96 by scattering three hits and allowing one run in seven innings. The right-hander struck out a season-high eight and walked three.

The Braves had scored just four runs in their previous three games, but they improved to 7-11 at Turner Field. They began the night with a .353 home winning percentage that was second-worst in the majors.

Manager Bobby Cox, hoping to change Atlanta's poor fortunes at Turner Field, tweaked the batting order with Yunel Escobar leading off, Kotchman hitting second and dropping Kelly Johnson to the sixth spot.

Atlanta's 13 hits were its most at Turner Field since the home opener, a 10-inning, 6-5 victory over Washington on April 10.

One of the few highlights for Colorado, which has lost five of seven, was Todd Helton's 2,000 career hit. The Rockies' first baseman singled in third to become the 255th player to reach the milestone.

Johnson had three hits for the first time in 25 games, improving his average 18 points to .243.

Escobar, Kotchman and Johnson combined to go 7 for 13 with three runs scored.

Jason Hammel (0-3) lost his third straight start for the Rockies, allowing six runs and 10 hits.

After Brian McCann's RBI single in the first made it 1-0, Atlanta scored three unearned runs in the second to take a 4-0 lead.

Johnson singled and moved to second when Jeff Francoeur reached on second baseman Clint Barmes' fielding error. On a fielder's choice grounder by Jordan Schafer, Francoeur was thrown out at second, but Johnson advanced to third and scored on Jurrjens' RBI infield single.

Escobar's infield single loaded the bases for Kotchman, whose RBI single drove in Schafer. Chipper Jones' RBI walk made it 4-0.

Troy Tulowitzki's sacrifice fly in the third cut the lead to 4-1, but Schafer responded with a two-run single to make it 6-1 in Atlanta's half of the inning.

Schafer moved to third on a wild pitch, but was thrown out at the plate on an assist from center fielder Dexter Fowler to end the third. Catcher Chris Iannetta held onto the ball despite Schafer's attempt to jar it loose in a collision.