A five-run fifth inning proved to be all the Colorado Rockies needed to snap a two-game skid and secure a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs at Coors Field. Starting pitcher Tyler Anderson gave up a two-run double to Willson Contreras in the top of the first, but that is all he would allow in six innings of work in which he surrendered six hits, walked two and struck out six. All of the Rockies’ offense came against Cubs starter Yu Darvish in the fifth. With a man on and two outs, six straight Rockies reached base, plating five runs that Anderson and the bullpen would make stand up for the win.
Nolan Being Nolan
Nolan is a menace in the field. pic.twitter.com/mlczMCwcGc
— MLB (@MLB) April 22, 2018
Nolan Arenado set the tone for the rest of the night with this play in the top of the fifth inning. After a leadoff double from Albert Almora Jr. against Anderson, Arenado turned a Javier Baez ground ball into a double play. Almora Jr. would be the last Cubs hitter to reach base in the game, as Anderson, along with Jake McGee, Adam Ottavino and Wade Davis, shut a potent offense down.
Walks Will Haunt
The Rockies five-run rally in the fifth was set up by a pair of Darvish walks to Mike Tauchman and Anderson. Those walks came back to bite the Cubs as they were followed by an RBI double from DJ LeMahieu, a two-run single by Gerardo Parra, a Charlie Blackmon walk, an RBI single from Arenado and a Trevor Story RBI double, putting the Rockies up 5-2 and in control of the game.
Looking Ahead
The Rockies will look to win the rubber game of the series tomorrow, with Germán Márquez on the mound against Jose Quintana. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Mountain time.