On Saturday night, the Colorado Rockies pulled off a dramatic walk-off victory against the Chicago Cubs, clinching the game 6-5 after extra innings at Coors Field. It was an electrifying finish for the Rockies, who appeared to be down and out until they made their impressive climb back to secure the win.
The game seemed well within the Cubs’ grasp. Early on, Dansby Swanson hit single, quickly followed by Seiya Suzuki doubling him home, establishing a 1-0 lead for the Cubs right at the start. Not long after, Cody Bellinger delighted Cubs fans by hitting a leadoff home run, extending their lead to 2-0.
On the mound for the Cubs, Jameson Taillon was throwing admirably, holding the Rockies to just one hit through five innings. His performance showcased his ability to control the game, but trouble brewed on the horizon. After allowing one run in the sixth, the Cubs clawed back, with Pete Crow-Armstrong hitting his own home run, boosting the score to 3-1.
Despite maintaining the lead, the tension grew as the Rockies kept pushing back. The scoreboard reflected how closely matched the game was, with Bellinger and Pete Crow-Armstrong each contributing homers to keep the Cubs afloat.
After stretching the lead to 4-2, the Cubs found themselves still on edge. The Rockies may have been the last-place team, but they weren’t ready to roll over. Michael Toglia responded, starting the comeback with his home run, making the score 4-3 as the game approached its final pitches.
The Rockies blinked with determination and rallied. With just one out remaining and Porter Hodge on the mound for the Cubs, Hunter Goodman was walked, bringing up pinch-hitter Sam Hilliard. The atmosphere was tense, yet Hilliard seized the moment perfectly. On the first pitch, he launched the ball over the right-center fence, marking his fifth career pinch-hit homer, and tied the game at 5.
Now at 5-5, the game advanced to extra innings, and the stakes were even higher. The Cubs, unable to capitalize on their opportunity, went down quietly with just 11 pitches during the top of the 10th. Hope was dwindling for Cubs fans witnessing their team falter.
Meanwhile, the Rockies were determined to win on their home turf. After managing to move the automatic runner to third base, the Rockies intentionally walked Ezequiel Tovar, setting the stage for Brenton Doyle. Doyle did not disappoint; he delivered the game-winning single off Drew Smyly, scoring the automatic runner Aaron Schunk and sealing the game for the Rockies.
This loss didn’t just mark the end of one game. For the Cubs, it underscored their continued struggles, particularly against the Rockies. The statistics paint a grim picture, illustrating the Cubs’ significant struggles at Coors Field. Despite their record of scoring five runs being 34-1 previously, they are now 0-3 over their last three games when making it to or exceeding the five-run mark.
The game was not just about runs and hits. It reflected the rocky road the Cubs have faced this season. With six games separating them from the third National League wild card position held by the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets, the Cubs face immense pressure moving forward.
The Rockies, for their part, celebrated cheerfully after their much-deserved win, indicating potential improvement from the last-place finish of previous seasons. Charlie Blackmon and Doyle had standout contributions during the game and led the excitement for the Rockies, often the underdogs this season.
With their leader dejected after the loss, Dave Ross expressed his disappointment over failing to capitalize on their opportunities. “We had it won,” he sighed post-game, putting it clearly for the team. The road to recovery isn’t just for the Cubs, as the Rockies hope to carry the momentum from this win. There’s much at stake as the MLB season winds down; every game counts more than ever.
Both teams will look to regroup shortly, as they face each other again for the last game of the series, hoping to end the week on positive notes. The Cubs aim to salvage some pride from this road trip, but can they pull through? That question lingers as the Rockies ride their latest victory high.
Game time for the next Face-off is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. CT; it’ll be intriguing to see if the Cubs can turn the tables and break their recent streak of misfortune.
