Sam Hilliard made the most of his opportunities against the team he played for last season.

Batting out of the nine hole, the 30-year-old outfielder drove in five of Colorado’s runs in an 11-8 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Saturday at Coors Field. That nearly matched last season’s production, as he drove in six runs in 40 games for the Braves in 2023.

“It was definitely cool to be able to compete against former teammates and former team and be able to have a good game like that and come through a couple of times was huge,” Hilliard admitted in the postgame locker room. “I’m glad to be in there against a lefty and get an opportunity like that. To see some hard work pay off is definitely a good feeling.”

Hilliard gave the Rockies a 3-0 lead in his first at-bat against Braves starter Max Fried. He was looking for a fastball but quickly adjusted to line a three-run shot over the right field wall in the bottom of the second.

“I knew that was gone,” Hilliard said of his fourth homer of the season.

“I was staying on the heater, just happened to recognize curveball pop out of his hand. It ended up breaking right to the middle of the plate, and I was able to stay back on it and put a good swing on it.”

A bases-loaded walk and Matt Olson’s grand slam off starting pitcher Dakota Hudson put the Rockies back in a hole when Hilliard stepped into the box a second time. His second hit was anything but a no-doubter. The ball hung up in the air, and multiple Braves had time to get under it, but none did. Hilliard rolled into second with a two-run double that tied the game.

“We caught a break there,” Rockies manager Bud Black said.

Atlanta plated three more runs before Hilliard’s third hit of the night. He laced a double over the center fielder’s head and later scored as part of Colorado’s three-run sixth inning that tied the score at eight, but that was it for the Rockies offense on the night.

Atlanta again regained the lead before Hilliard’s fourth and final at-bat. He made good contact in his fourth at-bat but his flyout was chased down in center to end the seventh inning. As impressive as his night was, Black said he was yet to determine if Hilliard, who’s played in 33 games with 61 plate appearances this season, would get more opportunities.

“We’ll see,” Black said.

“He gave us a big boost a couple of times.”

The manager’s decision will get easier if Hilliard can continue to play like he did on Saturday.

“Timing was on tonight. Swing feels good. … I’ve been in a good place ever since I’ve been up. It’s just a matter of putting it all together,” Hilliard said.

“Hopefully, I can build off that and keep a good thing going.”

BRAVES 11, ROCKIES 8

What happened: Atlanta scored the final three runs to drop the Rockies to 43-75 on the season and 26-32 at home. The Braves improved to 61-55.

On the mound: Dakota Hudson, called up from Triple-A Albuquerque earlier in the day, was a pitch away from getting out of the third inning, but Matt Olson’s grand slam ended his day. He allowed five runs – all earned – on three hits in 2.2 innings. Noah Davis, Riley Pint, Angel Chivilli and Anthony Molina each gave up at least one run in relief. Chivilli took the loss for Colorado, while Denver native Pierce Johnson picked up the win for Atlanta after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings.

At the plate: Hilliard recorded extra-base hits in his first three at-bats and plated Colorado’s first five runs. Ezequiel Tovar (2) and Brenton Doyle (1) drove in Colorado’s other runs.

Olson finished with two home runs and six RBI for the Braves.

Up next: Colorado and Atlanta conclude their three-game series with a 1:10 p.m. first pitch Sunday at Coors Field.