Chicago Cubs come up big in the ninth vs Rockies, win 6-5

Dexter Fowler‘s go-ahead HR lifts Cubs over Rockies

After a quite first inning for both teams – the second inning provided some action for both teams.

The Chicago Cubs jumped out first with a one-out RBI double by Miguel Montero, scoring Chris Coghlan who walked to start the inning.  The Rockies starting pitcher Jordan Lyles would induce two straight ground outs to end the innings – holding the Cubs to the one run.  

The Rockies stormed right back.  Hendricks gave up three straight singles to Corey Dickerson, Michael McKerny, and Daniel Descalso.  After a visit to the mound to try to calm things down, Hendricks got the second out of the inning. With the two out and the bases loaded – former Cub DJ LeMahieu came up big with bases clearing triple to left field.  Rockies take the lead 3-1.

The inning wasn’t over yet – Charlie Blackmon added another run for the Rockies – singling in LeMahieu with a line drive.  Hendricks was able to get Carlos Gonzalez to ground out to end the inning as the Cubs would fall behind early 4-1.

The Cubs (3-2) tried to get back into the game in the 5th.  Arismendy Alcantara reached on an error to start the inning and stole second.

Hendricks helped himself out with a ground ball single to center – scoring Alcantara to cut the lead down to two.

Following up on Hendricks’ single – both Jonathan Herrera and Dexter Fowler singled to load up the bases for Anthony Rizzo.  The all-star lifted one to left field good enough to score Hendricks for a sac fly and getting the Cubs within one run – now 4-3.

With only one out in the inning and still two on – Jorge Soler hit a hard-line drive to second that turned into an inning-ending double play.

in the bottom of the fifth for the Rockies – Hendricks walking Blackmon to start the inning.  The next batter Gonzalez made the pitcher pay for the free pass with a RBI double – putting one of those runs lost back on the board, now 5-3 Rockies.

With no scoring in the sixth, seventh, or eighth – the Cubs would be down to their last at bats down two runs.  One out in the inning – the Rockies (4-2) brought in veteran and former Cubs pitcher LaTroy Hawkins to seal the deal.  He’d walk Alcantara – putting the tying run at the plate with one out.  

Hawkins lost a delivery to home allowing Alcantara to move into scoring position on the wild throw.  Pinch-hitter Mike Olt strikeout for the second out.  Welington Castillo hitting for Herrera – gets a line drive to center scoring Alcantara and making the score now 5-4 with the tying run on first and the go-ahead run at the dish.

Next up for the Cubs is former Rockies player Dexter Fowler.  Fowler who didn’t have a home run going into the game would end that drought right then and there – connecting on a two-strike pitch to deep right-center field for his first home run of the season and giving the Cubs a 6-5 lead.  Rizzo struck out to end the inning.

Hector Rondon now in to try to close the door on the Rockies.  Troy Tulowitzki into pinch hit for the pitcher’s spot struck out with a filthy slider by Rondon.  LeMahieu followed up with a ground out to second for the second out in the inning.  Blackmon – the Rockies last hope hits a double to left field – now in scoring position for all-star Carlos Gonzalez.

After the first pitch – Blackmon would steal third with no one covering third on the defensive shift – now a wild throw would score the tying run but Gonzalez took a two-two pitch and popped it up to shallow center for Alcantara to catch and steal the win and the series for the Chicago Cubs by a score of 6-5.

What Stood Out:

Kyle Hendricks (0-0, 10.38) didn’t have his best stuff today, but he also didn’t give up a lot of hard hits.  Going only 4 1/3 innings, he gave up five runs on eight hits, walking one, and striking out three.

The bullpen again was awesome!  Jason Motte, Phil Coke, Neil Ramirez, and Hector Rondon combined for 4 2/3 innings pitched without allowing a run, three hits, five strikeouts, and not one free pass given.  Neil Ramirez (1-0, 3.00) was the pitcher on record when the Cubs took the lead so he receives the win.

Hector Rondon notched his second save of the season and has looked just as good as he was to end last season.

Dexter Fowler coming up with the big game winning home run has been red-hot the last two games, recording two triples in back-to-back at-bats during the early part of yesterday’s evening game.

The big hitters of Rizzo, Castro, and Soler combined for 0-for-12 in the game, striking out five times and leaving eight men on base.

What is Next:

The Chicago Cubs (3-2) head back to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field to host division rival and the first place Cincinnati Reds (4-2) under the lights.

The Reds who have dropped their last two games to the St. Louis Cardinals will look to get back on track as they put Mike Leake (0-0, 4.76) against the Cubs.

Jon Lester (0-1, 6.23) gets his second start of the season for the Chicago Cubs.

The Cubs will have to be ready for speed demon Billy Hamilton who is 7-for-7 stealing bases this season.  Will Jon Lester do a better job of keeping runners on?

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 central time tomorrow night and will be aired live on both CSN+ and WBBM 780.

Next: Mike Olt still focused on his job