Rockies score 7 runs in the 8th in come-from-behind 9-8 win over the Braves

DENVER (AP) — Jake Cave had three RBIs, Charlie Blackmon and Sam Hilliard each had three hits, and the Colorado Rockies mounted a furious comeback to defeat the Atlanta Braves 9-8 on Sunday in the finale of a three-game series.

The Rockies earned the victory with a seven-run eighth inning, turning an 8-2 deficit into a 9-8 advantage. It was the largest deficit the Rockies have overcome this season, and the seven runs were tied for the most in an inning by Colorado in 2024.

The Rockies had been 3-59 this season when trailing after seven while the Braves had been 48-2 when leading after seven.

“These guys have no quit in them,” Hilliard said. “I truly believe that. We never feel like we’re out of a game. We got a couple of runs there and you could feel the momentum. It’s like, alright, let’s keep going. You can just feel it.”

Entering the day, the Rockies had been 2-14 against the Braves since the start of the 2022 season and had lost nine of their previous 10 games against Atlanta at Coors Field.

Blackmon and Brendan Rodgers each had two RBIs for Colorado, which had lost four of its previous six games. Cave’s two-run homer to start the rally in the eighth was his sixth of the season and third this month.

Josh Rogers (2-0) picked up the win after allowing one run in 1 2/3 relief innings while Victor Vodnik earned his eighth save of the season with a scoreless ninth.

Joe Jiménez (1-4) took the loss for the Braves, giving up four hits and three earned runs in just 1/3 of an inning. It was his second blown save of the season.

“When things start piling up, they start leaving pitches over the plate, they start getting rushed a little bit or whatever it is,” Cave said. “That momentum is a real thing.”

Rockies starter Kyle Freeland left the game in the top of the fourth inning after being looked at by a team trainer. He allowed three earned runs and four hits, two of which were homers, in 3 2/3 innings.

Freeland said he suffered a “pretty big gash” on his left pinky finger, with bleeding that made keeping him in the game a non-starter.

“I didn’t want to compromise his ability to get guys out,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “It was affecting his pitches. It was time to get him out.”

Jorge Soler had two home runs for the Braves, his 15th and 16th of the season, while Austin Riley and Travis d’Arnaud also went deep. Orlando Arcia had four hits for Atlanta, all of them singles.

Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach gave up two earned runs and struck out seven across six innings in his 12th career start. With a walk to Michael Toglia in the fifth inning, the 24-year-old rookie’s run of 27 consecutive innings without a walk was snapped. It had been the longest such streak in the majors.

It was Atlanta’s seventh loss in its past eight games.

“It’s tough to swallow,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s a tough one there. That’s even weird for here. It felt like we were an out away in the eighth and next thing you know, the roof caved in. It’s a hard one to explain.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rockies: Placed RHP Dakota Hudson (right elbow inflammation) on the 15-day injured list and selected the contract of LHP Josh Rogers from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Braves: OF Eddie Rosario elected for free agency, declining his assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett.

UP NEXT

Rockies: RHP Cal Quantrill (7-8, 4.56 ERA) will face off against RHP Brandon Pfaadt (6-6, 3.92) and the host Diamondbacks on Monday night.

Braves: LHP Chris Sale (13-3, 2.75 ERA) will take the mound against the host Giants and LHP Blake Snell (2-3, 4.31).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Josh Rogers, front, reacts after giving up a solo home run to Atlanta Braves' Jorge Soler, back, in the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Jake Cave follows the flight of his two-run home run off Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Luke Jackson in the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Jake Cave, center, is congratulated as he returns to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Luke Jackson in the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Victor Vodnik works against the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Atlanta Braves' Travis d'Arnaud stands at home plate after striking out against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Victor Vodnik to end a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Atlanta Braves' Marcell Ozuna singles off Colorado Rockies pitcher Victor Vodnik in the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Ryan McMahon scores on a double hit by Brendan Rodgers off Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Joe Jiménez in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies pitcher Victor Vodnik reacts after striking out Atlanta Braves' Travis d'Arnaud to end a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

NATO allies, Ukraine and Israel paid tribute to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham as a friend, partner and advocate of trans-Atlantic ties on Sunday, praising a politician who was a high-profile figure in global foreign policy before and during the era of President Donald Trump.

The Republican senator had visited Ukraine just before his death and announced an agreement on Friday with the Trump administration to move forward on a package of sanctions against Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Graham, whom he met twice in the past week, visited Ukraine 10 times since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, and “was here with our people when it was most needed.” He said that “Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.”

A one-time critic of Trump turned close ally, Graham drew tributes for his longtime commitment to NATO and trans-Atlantic friendship at a time when those ties have been under pressure.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Graham was “a powerful advocate for America who believed strongly in the NATO Alliance and was actively working to bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.” Rutte's predecessor, Jens Stoltenberg, lauded the South Carolina senator's “tireless commitment” to NATO and the trans-Atlantic bond, and his “staunch support” for Ukraine.

Graham commanded respect on NATO's eastern edge, where Russia's intentions are viewed with deep concern.

Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that “Estonia will remember him as a steadfast friend, a strong supporter of NATO’s eastern flank, and an unwavering advocate for Ukraine.” Latvian counterpart Baiba Braže said that he was “among the strongest supporters of NATO and transatlantic relations (and) assistance to Ukraine in countering Russian aggression."

“His commitment to the values of democracy, security, and international partnership earned him the respect and gratitude of many across Europe,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said. “His voice will be missed, but his legacy will endure.”

Finnish President Alexander Stubb called Graham “a personal friend. A supporter of @NATO and Ukraine. A Transatlanticist. A friend of Finland.”

And German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was “a true friend and partner of Germany in the transatlantic alliance. We stood side by side for more than four decades.”

Graham advised Trump on foreign policy matters such as Iran and Russia.

He had long backed policies aimed at isolating Iran and limiting its missile and nuclear programs, cheered Trump's decision to strike nuclear sites last year and was a supporter of the latest conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him “a great friend of Israel” and “a cherished friend of mine.”

Netanyahu said Graham understood that the security of Israel and the United States is inseparable and devoted his life to defending America, strengthening the U.S.-Israel alliance and standing up for the free world.

“Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend,” Netanyahu said.

Michael Oren, who served as Israeli ambassador to the U.S. from 2009 to 2013, said Graham’s death removes a staunchly pro-Israel voice from Congress at a precarious time.

“You have a few Democrats and Republicans willing to stand up in Israel’s defense, but those type of people are few, it's not a body of people,” he said. "So when you lose someone like Lindsey Graham, it’s a diplomatic and strategic loss for the state of Israel.”

Iranian state television announced Graham’s death during a live broadcast in openly hostile terms.

“I congratulate the great nation of Iran on Lindsey Graham, the warmongering and anti-Iranian U.S. senator, having gone to hell,” the anchor said.

FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., left, gestures as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters while in flight on Air Force One, Jan. 4, 2026, as they were returning to Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, July 10, 2026. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. answers a question from a media member near damaged Russian vehicles on display in central Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)