Atlanta, GA – By the time Brian McCann's home run cleared the right-field fence, Juan Nicasio was exasperated.
While the Colorado Rockies starter leapt in frustration after Evan Gattis' base hit gave the Braves the lead moments earlier, Nicasio could only turn a quick glance, making sure McCann's three-run shot left the yard to cap a six-run fourth inning, as he took a quick trot around the mound.
McCann's blast paved the way to Atlanta's 11-3 win in the second installment of a four-game series against the Rockies.
Freddie Freeman crushed a pair of home runs and knocked in four, while Jason Heyward had three hits and scored three times to help guide the Braves to their fifth straight win.
Alex Wood (1-2) earned his first major-league win after he gave up three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts over seven innings.
Nolan Arenado hit a home run for the Rockies, who dropped their second straight game and third in the last four.
Nicasio (6-5) gave up eight runs on 10 hits and three walks in four innings to take the loss.
"They didn't miss any mistakes," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "It's all about where you throw it. I think some balls were in the middle of the plate. I think he got some sliders up. That's what happens when a club like that is swinging the bats well."
The Rockies jumped out to an early lead after Dexter Fowler worked a leadoff walk, moved to third on a DJ LeMahieu single and scored on Carlos Gonzalez's sacrifice fly in the first.
Freeman blasted a 3-1 fastball well past the right-field wall to tie the game in the bottom half of the frame.
Michael Cuddyer led off the second with a base hit before Arenado clubbed a two-run blast to left to give Colorado a 3-1 lead.
The Braves earned their major league-best 33rd come-from-behind win. Heyward led off the third with a single and scored on Justin Upton's double to close the gap to one.
Atlanta exploded for six, all with two outs, in the fourth to take the lead. Dan Uggla led off with a double and scored when Heyward rolled a base hit up the middle to tie the game. Upton followed with a ground-rule double, which led to Freeman's intentional pass to load up the bases. Gattis lined a single just past shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to plate two and give the Braves a 5-3 lead.
"I was ready for the fastball, but got the slider," Gattis said. "I was a little out in front of it. Luckily it got through."
McCann capped the rally when he lined a fastball just over the right- field wall to give Atlanta an 8-3 edge.
The Braves tacked on three more in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Todd Cunningham delivered a base hit in his first major league at bat and Heyward followed with another single. Freeman then crushed his second home run of the night to make the score 11-3.
Anthony Varvaro tossed two scoreless frames to close out Atlanta's win.
Game Notes
Prior to the game, the Braves placed outfielder Reed Johnson on the 15-day disabled list and purchased the contract of Cunningham from Triple-A Gwinnett ... Atlanta's Chris Johnson went 2-for-4 and has hit safely in eight straight games (14-for-30, .467). Johnson also has multiple hits in five straight games ... The Braves are a major league-best 36-15 at home this season ... Atlanta is 4-1 against Colorado this season ... Nicasio is 0-3 with a 9.94 ERA (20 earned runs in 18 1/3 innings) in his career against Atlanta.
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