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

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

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

2024-08-12 07:35 Last Updated At:07:40

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.

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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 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 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' 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)

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' 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)

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' 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)

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)

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 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 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' 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)

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' 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)

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' 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)

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)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate quickly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state Monday, voting unanimously to give President Donald Trump the first member of his new Cabinet on Inauguration Day.

Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida, is among the least controversial of Trump’s nominees and vote was decisive, 99-0. Another pick, John Ratcliffe for CIA director, is also expected to have a swift vote, as soon as Tuesday. Action on others, including former combat veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, is possible later in the week.

“Marco Rubio is a very intelligent man with a remarkable understanding of American foreign policy,” Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the senior-most Republican, said as the chamber opened.

It’s often tradition for the Senate to convene immediately after the ceremonial pomp of the inauguration to begin putting the new president’s team in place, particularly the national security officials. During Trump’s first term, the Senate swiftly confirmed his defense and homeland security secretaries on day one, and President Joe Biden’s choice for director of national intelligence was confirmed on his own Inauguration Day.

With Trump’s return to the White House, and his Republican Party controlling majorities in Congress, his outsider Cabinet choices are more clearly falling into place, despite initial skepticism and opposition from both sides of the aisle.

Rubio, who was surrounded by colleagues in the Senate chamber, said afterward he feels “good, but there’s a lot of work ahead.”

“It’s an important job in an important time, and I’m honored by it,” Rubio said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune moved quickly Monday, announcing he expected voting to begin “imminently” on Trump’s nominees.

Democrats have calculated it's better for them to be seen as more willing to work with Trump, rather than simply mounting a blockade to his nominees. They're holding their opposition for some of his other picks who have less support, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said his party will “neither rubber-stamp nominees we feel are grossly unqualified, nor oppose nominees that deserve serious consideration.”

Rubio, he said, is an example of "a qualified nominee we think should be confirmed quickly."

Senate committees have been holding lengthy confirmation hearings on more than a dozen of the Cabinet nominees, with more to come this week. And several panels are expected to meet late Monday to begin voting to advance the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously advanced Rubio's nomination late Monday. The Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee, respectively, voted to move the nominations of Hegseth and Ratcliffe. And the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee advanced nominees Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary and Russell Vought as director of the Office of Management and Budget, but with opposition.

Rubio, a well-liked senator and former Trump rival during the 2016 presidential race, has drawn closer to the president in recent years. He appeared last week to answer questions before the Foreign Relations Committee, where he has spent more than a decade as a member.

As secretary of state, Rubio would be the nation’s top diplomat, and the first Latino to hold the position. Born in Miami to Cuban immigrants, he has long been involved in foreign affairs, particularly in South America, and has emerged as a hawk on China’s rise.

During his confirmation hearing last week, Rubio warned of the consequences of America’s “unbalanced relationship” with China. While he echoes Trump’s anti-globalist rhetoric, Rubio is also seen as an internationalist who understands the power of U.S. involvement on the global stage.

Rubio cultivated bipartisan support from across the aisle, both Republicans and Democrats. He takes over for outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has said he hopes the Trump administration continues Biden's policies in the Middle East to end the war in Gaza and to help Ukraine counter Russian nomination.

The Senate is split 53-47, but the resignation of Vice President JD Vance and, soon, Rubio drops the GOP majority further until their successors arrive. Republicans need almost all every party member in line to overcome Democratic opposition to nominees.

Objection from any one senator, as is expected with Hegseth and several other choices, would force the Senate into procedural steps that would drag voting later into the week.

Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments, pose for a photo at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. First row from left, Elise Stefanik, John Ratcliffe, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, Doug Burgum, Brooke L. Rollins, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; second row from left, Scott Turner, Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Duffy, Linda McMahon, Lee Zeldin, Kristi Noem, Chris Wright, Doug Collins, Kelly Loeffler and Scott Bessent; and third row from left, Stephen Miran, Jamieson Greer, Kevin Hassett, Kash Patel and Russell Vought. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments, pose for a photo at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. First row from left, Elise Stefanik, John Ratcliffe, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Howard Lutnick, Pete Hegseth, Doug Burgum, Brooke L. Rollins, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; second row from left, Scott Turner, Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Duffy, Linda McMahon, Lee Zeldin, Kristi Noem, Chris Wright, Doug Collins, Kelly Loeffler and Scott Bessent; and third row from left, Stephen Miran, Jamieson Greer, Kevin Hassett, Kash Patel and Russell Vought. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a nominee for Secretary of State, attends the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a nominee for Secretary of State, attends the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)

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