Cubs erupt early to clinch series over Rockies
The Chicago Cubs used a dominant second inning and strong pitching from Javier Assad to defeat the Colorado Rockies 8-6 on Wednesday, securing their first home series victory in nearly a month.
Chicago scored seven runs in the second inning and never surrendered the lead, taking two of three games from Colorado at Wrigley Field. The series win marked the Cubs’ first home series triumph since sweeping the Cincinnati Reds during the opening week of May.
Assad improved to 5-1 on the season after allowing two runs on five hits across 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander did not issue a walk and struck out one batter while throwing 92 pitches.
With closer Daniel Palencia placed on the injured list Tuesday, Jacob Webb handled ninth-inning duties and recorded his second save of the season despite allowing a solo home run to Kyle Karros.
Colorado starter Sean Sullivan struggled in just his second major league start. The left-hander surrendered eight runs on nine hits over four innings, falling to 0-1. He walked two and struck out two while throwing 82 pitches.
The Cubs’ decisive second inning featured contributions throughout the lineup and included a team cycle.
Alex Bregman started the rally with a walk before Ian Happ singled. Matt Shaw then drove in both runners with a triple to center field.
Carson Kelly followed with an RBI double off the wall in right field, and Dansby Swanson extended Chicago’s advantage with a two-run home run just beyond the left-field fence.
The offensive surge continued when Nico Hoerner singled and later scored on Seiya Suzuki’s double into the left-field corner. Michael Busch added a single before Bregman capped the inning with a sacrifice fly, giving the Cubs a commanding 7-0 lead.
Colorado got on the scoreboard in the third inning when Sterlin Thompson launched the first home run of his major league career. The rookie added another solo shot in the fifth inning, accounting for two of the Rockies’ runs.
Pete Crow-Armstrong answered in the fourth with a solo homer that struck the foul pole in right field. The blast was his fourth home run in five games and increased Chicago’s lead to 8-1.
The Rockies mounted a late push in the eighth inning, scoring three runs. Hunter Goodman highlighted the rally with his 21st home run of the season, trimming the deficit to 8-5.
Colorado added another run in the ninth but could get no closer.
Thompson finished 3-for-4 and became one of the few bright spots for the Rockies, who have lost five of their last seven games.
Chicago’s offense remained productive throughout the afternoon. Suzuki, Happ, Shaw and Kelly each recorded two hits as the Cubs improved to five wins in their last seven contests.
The victory allowed Chicago to continue building momentum while sending Colorado home with another series defeat.
