Victorys record seven successive wins to kick off their title-winning 2006

ATLANTA -- Jon Gray loved being in a pitchers duel with Julio Teheran for seven innings.The rookie right-hander was disappointed the Colorado Rockies didnt win, but he enjoyed battling the Atlanta Braves ace.The first couple of innings I was kind of trying to find my groove, but then I got going, Gray said. It was fun. I was glad to keep us in the game.Gonzalez Germen gave up Chase dArnauds single with two outs in the ninth, and the Rockies missed a chance to sweep the Atlanta Braves with a 1-0 loss on Sunday.Gray, who allowed five hits and three walks in a career-high 115 pitches, stranded two runners in the seventh with his fifth strikeout. That ended his day and gave him a 3.11 ERA and 64 strikeouts in his last 10 games.Not bad considering the sweltering conditions and a 102-degree heat index.It took a little while for him to get a feel for his slider, but he adjusted, catcher Tony Wolters said. Sometimes it takes a while to warm up even on this kind of day.The Braves are just 14-36 at Turner Field and have baseballs worst overall record, but they snapped a four-game skid to Colorado.Atlanta used four relievers and the Rockies one before Germen (2-1) gave up Ender Inciartes leadoff single in the ninth.Anthony Recker bunted over Inciarte, who advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on dArnauds liner to left field.Teheran scattered three hits, walked one and struck out five. Pitching for the majors weakest offense, the two-time All-Star remained winless with a 2.90 ERA in 11 home starts.Whenever I go out there, I just try to do my job and give the team a chance to win, just concentrate on that, Teheran said. If I get the win Im happy with that, and if I dont get the win and the team still wins, Im happy with that.Teheran didnt allow a baserunner until Wolters singled in the fourth. That was all Colorado could muster until Charlie Blackmon singled with two outs in the sixth.Daniel Delscaso was the third Rockie to get into scoring position with a double in the seventh. Cristhian Adames, the next batter, drew a four-pitch walk before Brandon Barnes grounded out.Thats why Teheran is an All-Star, Barnes said. Hes got good stuff and he competes out there. Give it to Jon for keeping us in the game.Jim Johnson (2-5) gave up one walk in two-thirds of an inning to get the win.DArnaud went 3 for 5 with three singles. Blackmon, D.J. LeMahieu, Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez -- the top four hitters in Colorados lineup -- went a combined 2 for 15 and stranded five runners.TOUGH WEEKENDBraves 1B Freddie Freeman, who had a cancerous mole removed from his upper back earlier in the week, struck out four times, stranded three runners and went 0 for 11 in the series.IN THE DIRT AGAINTeherans wild pitch in the sixth was the Braves ninth in the series. Atlanta leads the majors with 52 wild pitches.TRAINERS ROOMBraves RHP Shae Simmons, sidelined by Tommy John surgery the last 1 1/2 years, will throw a simulated game on Monday.UP NEXTRockies: LHP Tyler Anderson (1-3) won on July 9 for the first time in six starts. He will face Tampa Bay for the first time.Braves: RHP Matt Wisler (4-8) is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in one career start against Cincinnati. Kansas City Royals Shirts . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. Royals Jerseys 2020 . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. https://www.cheaproyals.com/ . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. Royals Jerseys China . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He has a phone hearing with the department of player safety, which limits any potential suspension to five or fewer games. Kansas City Royals Gear . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. Sydney FC skipper Alex Brosque has declared this years ladder-leading squad the best hes seen in his eight seasons at the A-League club.The former Socceroo celebrated his 150th game in the Sky Blue with a goal in their 4-1 rout of Perth on Sunday that extended their season-opening winning streak to six.The title heavyweights are now one win off breaking Melbourne Victorys record seven successive wins to kick off their title-winning 2006-07 campaign.Brosque said he couldnt remember a Sydney FC unit as dominant as the current version.You go through pre-seasons hoping that youll get a start like this, but in the A-League, its that tough and anyone can beat anyone on their day, Brosque said.It makes it even more special what weve done. Six games that weve won in a row, the FFA Cup as well, making the final there, its not easy.Its a difficult competition. The foreigners will tell you that. From week to week, if youre not as close to your best as possible, youre not going to win.Ive never seen a team at Sydney since Ive been here, start this way, even play this way, dominate games this way.ddddddddddddAhead of next weeks clash against Brisbane, Sydney FC are six points clear of second-placed Melbourne City and 16 ahead of defending premiers Adelaide in last place.However Brosque, who at 33 years of age is the oldest player on the Sky Blues roster, urged his playing group not to get carried away with their early-season success.He was quick to point out how the club were sitting comfortably in the top four last season before winning just one of their final 12 games and missing the finals.There is a long way to go. Were not getting carried away, he said.(The coaching group is) not going to let us and we cant afford to because we started well last year and then we fell away. We need to just maintain and keep doing what were doing. ' ' '