Braves crush Rockies 12-4 on June 14, 2025, as Marcell Ozuna and Michael Harris II launch huge homers to back Spencer Strider's first win of the season.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it looked like a frustrating night might be brewing at Truist Park, the Braves offense decided to flip the switch. Trailing the Rockies early, Atlanta unleashed a torrent of runs, powered by massive three-run home runs from Marcell Ozuna and Michael Harris II, cruising to a 12-4 victory that felt every bit as dominant as the score suggests.
I'm not out there throwing bullpens... we're trying to win games.
The turning point came in the fifth inning. With the Braves down, Marcell Ozuna stepped to the plate and did what he does best: change the game with one swing. His three-run blast sent the Truist Park crowd into a frenzy and gave Atlanta a lead they would never relinquish. Not to be outdone, Michael Harris II put the game on ice in the seventh with a three-run shot of his own, breaking the game wide open. The offensive party wasn't limited to the long ball; Matt Olson chipped in with a two-hit night, and the team collectively battered Rockies pitching, ensuring the bullpen could coast through three scoreless innings to seal the deal.
While the offense grabbed the headlines, Saturday night marked a significant step forward for ace Spencer Strider. Making another start in his return from elbow surgery, Strider battled through six innings to earn his first win of the 2025 season. It wasn't a perfect outing—he allowed four runs on six hits—but the signs were overwhelmingly positive. He fanned eight batters, and his velocity and command looked sharper than in previous starts. Strider's post-game comments revealed his mindset: he's not just rehabbing, he's competing. 'I'm not out there throwing bullpens... we're trying to win games,' he said, a clear message that his focus is squarely on helping the team pile up victories.
The good news wasn't just confined to Atlanta. The Braves' pitching pipeline continues to churn out promising talent. Top prospect JR Ritchie earned a well-deserved promotion to Double-A Mississippi after posting a dazzling 1.30 ERA in High-A Rome. He's joined by 2024 draftee Brett Sears, another hard-throwing arm who has rocketed through the system, striking out over 32% of the batters he's faced. It wasn't all positive, however, as fellow prospect Drue Hackenberg landed on the injured list with a back issue after a tough start to his season in Double-A. Still, the rapid ascent of Ritchie and Sears is a thrilling development for the future of the Braves' rotation.
With the offense firing on all cylinders and Strider officially in the win column, the Braves are building serious momentum. They'll look to carry this energy into the series finale against the Rockies tomorrow. A win like this, showcasing power, resilience, and progress from the ace, is exactly what this team needed to remind the league just how dangerous they can be.
