After Monday’s crushing loss that saw that Colorado Rockies bullpen allowing the Chicago Cubs a walk-off win, the Rockies were hoping to even the score on Tuesday.
And that they did in a Game 2 win that saw the Rockies defeating the Cubs 5-2.
It was the kind of baseball manager Warren Schaeffer has been touting, and tonight, all the pieces worked, allowing the Rockies to end a 10-game losing streak at Wrigley Field.
“The bullpen was fantastic tonight,” Schaeffer said, pointing to their much-improved performance.
The Rockies take walks, get hits, score runs
Picking up where he left off yesterday, Pete Crow-Armstrong led off the Cubs part of the first with a home run, putting the Rockies in an early 1-0 hole.
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Things did not improve for the Rockies in the second inning when Matt Shaw scored on a wild pitch, and the Cubs took a 2-0 lead while Ryan Feltner’s pitch count ballooned to 50.
In the third inning, however, Feltner settled in and retired the Cubs in order on 14 pitches.
The Rockies came alive in the fourth inning. They got their first hit of the evening on a Jake McCarthy lead-off single that was followed by an RBI double from Willi Castro. After just two pitches, the Rockies were on the board and down by one run.
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And then TJ Rumfield gave the Rockies a 3-2 lead with a two-run bomb, his tenth of the season.
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After the game, Rumfield described the moment as “special,” especially given that it took place as Wrigley Field.
“He’s been Mr. Consistency all year,” Schaeffer said, “no ups and downs like you expect from a rookie.”
The Rockies kicked off the fifth innings with back-to-back walks issued to Brett Sullivan and Ezequiel Tovar. However, after striking out Edouard Julien to get the first out of the inning, the Cubs training staff visited the field and removed starter Edward Cabrera from the game due to cramping in his right hand.
He finished the evening with 4.1 IP, allowing five runs (earned) on three hits. Cabrera walked two and struck out three, throwing 67 pitches.
And then old friend Ryan Rolison entered the game. He immediately surrendered a hit to McCarthy, and the bases were loaded. A wild pitch scored Sullivan, and the Rockies followed that with a Willi Castro fielder’s choice that brought home Tovar.
When the fifth inning ended, the Rockies had a 5-2 lead.
However, Rolison would get his revenge in the sixth as he struck out the side.
With Phil Maton in relief, the Rockies managed to load the bases with two outs in the seventh. As Rumfield stood in the on-deck circle surveying the landscape, Cubs manager Craig Counsell went to RHP Trent Thornton. However, Happ tracked down Rumfield’s fly ball, and the Rockies were done for the inning.
The Cubs had runners on base during the seventh after Brennan Bernadino got two quick outs, but a ground ball to Tovar ended the inning.
Actually, please take a moment to appreciate this gorgeous Cole Carrigg gem for the second out in the seventh.
“That was a great play,” Schaeffer laughed after the game.
In the eighth inning saw the Rockies back on the base paths. Both Troy Johnston and Carrigg walked, and although Johnston got thrown out trying to steal second, Carrigg was successful, notching his first MLB stolen base. However, Sullivan flew out to right field, sending the Rockies to the dugout.
Old friend Gavin Hollowell (now with a new arm angle) came in to pitch the ninth for the Cubs, but the Rockies did not score.
Jaden Hill came in to close.
The final numbers for the Rockies were five runs (four earned) on six hits. They walked six times and had eight Ks. They were 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Also of note, the Rockies had one stolen base (Carrigg) and two caught-stealing (Johnston and Tyler Freeman).
Feltner settles in
Ryan Feltner’s talent is undeniable. The question is which version will show up for any given game.
While last week against the Cubs, Feltner was hot out of the gate before losing steam, in this game, he struggled through the first two innings, allowing two runs on four hits before settling in during the third. However, the relief was short-lived as he struggled through the fourth before finally getting Alex Bregman to strike out looking to end the inning.
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Still, he was back out to start the fourth inning and got two outs before surrendering a hit to Ian Happ at which point Warren Schaefer went to the bullpen.
Feltner’s final line was 4.2 IP, allowing two runs (both earned) on six hits. He walked three and struck out seven on a career-high 104 pitches.
He currently has a 5.05 ERA.
After the game, Schaeffer said of Feltner’s performance, “Very good. Gusty,” adding, “He gave us a chance to win.”
The bullpen does something
After the Rockies utilized six relievers in the Monday game, the pressure was on an overworked bullpen to deliver.
And they did.
Blas Castaño went for the third out in the fifth inning with one on base and quickly ended the inning. He was successful in the sixth as well and finished the night going 1.1 IP, allowing no hits and striking out one on 16 pitches. His ERA is 3.92.
This was his first MLB win.
The seventh inning went to Brennan Bernadino. Although he had some traffic due to a walk and a hit, he finished the inning without allowing a run, going. 1.0 IP on 16 pitches.
The Rockies went with Victor Vodnik in the eighth, who was coming off a tough Monday-night showing that saw him unable to get three outs. However, tonight saw him back on track with a quick 1-2-3 inning on nine pitches.
Jaden Hill closed out the game, getting three outs on 12 pitches. It was his first MLB save.
It was a good night to be a Rockies reliever.
Up next
Tomorrow, the Rockies will look to take their second series against the Cubs when Sean Sullivan (0.00 ERA) will face Javier Assad (3.99 ERA). If the Rockies get the win, they will have won four of their past six series since May 29.
First pitch is at 6:05 pm though there may be some weather issues, so stay tuned.
See you then.
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