Rockies beat Cubs in nightcap for doubleheader split

[August 26, 2021]    Ryan McMahon belted a go-ahead, two-run homer in the 10th inning as the visiting Colorado Rockies earned a doubleheader split against the Chicago Cubs with a 13-10 win on Wednesday.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Zach Davies (27) throws the ball against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of game one of a doubleheader at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Connor Joe hit a grand slam and Brendan Rodgers homered and drove in five runs for the Rockies.

Chicago trailed 8-5 with two on and one out in the final frame of the regulation seven-inning game before Ian Happ forced extra innings with a three-run homer off Rockies closer Daniel Bard.

Both teams scored a run in the eighth before going scoreless in the ninth. McMahon broke the tie with his two-run blast off Jake Jewell (0-2).

Rodgers, who had three hits, added to the lead with a two-run double for Colorado, which lost 5-2 in the first game.

The Rockies used eight relievers in Game 2 behind starter German Marquez, including Ben Bowden (3-2), who pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.

Colorado struck early when Joe drew a leadoff walk in the first inning and Rodgers followed with a 389-foot blast off Justin Steele.

The Cubs responded with five runs in the second inning, when they recorded five singles and a double while sending nine batters to the plate against Marquez.

The Rockies regained the lead in the fourth after Trevor Megill replaced Steele with two on and two outs.

Megill plunked pinch hitter Charlie Blackmon with a pitch to bring up Joe, who drilled a 3-1 fastball over the center field wall for the Rockies' ninth grand slam of the season.

Colorado extended its lead in the sixth when pinch hitter Rio Ruiz doubled home a run with two outs. After Joe was hit by a pitch, Ruiz came around to score on Rodgers' single up the middle.

Marquez allowed five runs on seven hits over three innings for the Rockies, who have won six of their past nine games. He struck out three without issuing a walk.

Robinson Chirinos drove in two runs for the Cubs, who have lost 22 of their past 28 games.

Steele gave up four runs on five hits over 3 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out five.

--Field Level Media

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