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Six-run third inning dooms Braves
Atlanta drops third straight
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Atlanta Braves’ Jeff Francoeur slides safely into third base with a triple as Colorado Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins, fields the throw from the outfield. - photo by The Associated Press

DENVER — Yorvit Torrealba hit a three-run home run to cap off a six-run third inning and the Colorado Rockies won their third straight, beating the Atlanta Braves 12-6 on Wednesday night.

Matt Holliday had a triple and two RBIs and Ryan Spilborghs went 3-for-5 with a home run and five RBIs in a spot start for the Rockies, who put up their highest run total of the young season. Their previous high was just four runs, in a win Tuesday night against the Braves.

Mark Redman (1-1) pitched five innings and allowed three runs — two earned — and seven hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

Chuck James (0-1), who was activated from the 15-day disabled list before the game, gave up six runs in three innings in his first start of the season. James hit three batters.

The Rockies broke open the game in the third, sending nine batters to the plate and scoring six runs with the help of just three hits. James hit two batters in the frame, including Willy Taveras to lead off the inning. Troy Tulowitzki followed with a walk, and after Todd Helton struck out, Matt Holliday tripled to left.

Spilborghs singled home Holliday, Garrett Atkins was hit by a pitch, and following Jeff Baker’s fly out to center, Torrealba hit his first homer of the season to deep left.

The Braves scored an unearned run in the top of the fourth, but Helton answered with an RBI double in the bottom of the inning.

Atlanta got another run in the fifth on a two-out single by Chipper Jones.

The Braves took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Jeff Francoeur led off with a triple to the left-center field gap, and Brian McCann followed with a double in the right-field corner. Redman escaped further damage when he made a diving catch of James’ bunt attempt and doubled off McCann at third base.

Notes: Before the game the Braves placed RHP Rafael Soriano on the 15-day DL with right elbow tendinitis, retroactive to Monday. ... Snow is in the forecast for Thursday’s final game of the four-game series.

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