Travis D’Arnaud homers twice in the Braves’ 8-1 victory over the Rockies

By: The Associated Press Posted: 9:23 PM CDT Friday, Jun. 16, 2023 Last Modified: 10:58 PM CDT Friday, Jun. 16, 2023

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ATLANTA (AP) — Travis d'Arnaud added to the Atlanta Braves' haul of massive homers.

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ATLANTA (AP) — Travis d'Arnaud added to the Atlanta Braves' haul of massive homers.

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ATLANTA (AP) — Travis d’Arnaud added to the Atlanta Braves’ haul of massive homers.

Not once, but twice.

D’Arnaud hit two long drives into the seats — totaling 907 feet — to back a solid start by rookie Jared Shuster that carried the Braves to their 11th victory in 13 games, 8-1 over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night.

Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna (20) celebrate after defeating the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game, Friday, June 16, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

“From the first hitter on, we’ve got tremendous power,” d’Arnaud said. “One through nine, everybody’s got power. It’s really dangerous and makes for a tough night’s sleep (for the opposing pitcher) the night before.”

D’Arnaud hit a 474-foot, two-run shot in the first inning for the 100th homer of his career to stake Atlanta to a 3-0 lead. He added another two-run homer in the third off Dinelson Lamet, this one a 433-foot drive that put the Braves up 5-0.

Eddie Rosario also hit a two-run homer for the Braves to make it 7-0 in the fourth.

The Braves have hit 15 homers of at least 450 feet. No other team has more than six, with Colorado and the Los Angeles Angels tying for the second spot.

The most 450-foot homers in a season since Statcast began keeping numbers in 2015 was 19 by the Rockies two years ago.

Shuster (4-2) went 5 2-3 innings for the win, giving up five hits with three walks while surrendering the only Rockies run on a bases-loaded force-out in the sixth.

After Shuster’s second walk of the inning loaded the bases again, Kirby Yates escaped the jam by striking out Jorge Alfaro.

Limet (1-4) went four innings for Colorado, allowing a career-worst eight runs on five hits and five walks. Entering the game with a dismal 10.38 ERA, he saw that number actually rise to 11.57.

SPEEDY RONALD

Ronald Acuña Jr. stole his 30th base after a leadoff walk in the first, putting him on pace for 69 steals this season.

The only Braves player to with more steals through their first 70 games of a season was Otis Nixon with 46 in 1991.

Acuña also has 15 homers, a pace that would net him 35 homers and make him the first player in major league history to reach the 30-60 club.

Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud, right, and relief pitcher Ben Heller (71) celebrate after defeating the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game, Friday, June 16, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Acuña is already the first player with at least 15 homers and 30 stolen bases in his team’s first 70 games since at least 1900.

“It’s really exciting to see him set the table and also eat off the table when there’s runners on,” d’Arnaud said. “He’s the MVP, I think. To be on his team and see him do it every single day is really special.”

The only players to have at least 30 homers and 50 stolen bases in a season were Cincinnati’s Eric Davis (37 homers, 50 stolen bases) in 1987 and Pittsburgh’s Barry Bonds (33 HRs, 52 SBs) in 1990.

Acuña is making no predictions on how many stolen bases he’ll end up with, but he added confidently through an interpreter, “Every time I get to first, I’m running.”

ROOKIE STARTERS

Shuster was the third straight rookie pitcher to start for the Braves.

Atlanta won all three games.

Dylan Dodd did not get the decision in the second game of a doubleheader at Detroit on Wednesday, but the Braves managed a 6-5 victory.

On Thursday, 20-year-old AJ Smith-Shawver claimed his first major league victory, 8-3 over the Rockies.

Shuster kept things rolling Friday.

“He did a tremendous job,” d’Arnaud said. “He was able to locate his fastball, which opened everything else up.”

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Dinelson Lamet sits on the bench after being relieved in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, June 16, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

ROUGH NIGHT

Lamet’s previous worse performances were a pair of seven-run games in 2017.

He had not allowed more than five earned runs in an outing since Sept. 20, 2017, when he pitched for San Diego against Arizona.

The three homers matched a career high.

UP NEXT

RH Bryce Elder (4-1, 2.69) looks to bounce back from his worst start of the season when he goes against Colorado RH Connor Seabold (1-2, 4.70) in a Saturday afternoon game. Elder gave up five runs on eight hits in 5 1-3 innings in a 6-2 loss to Washington last weekend.

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