DENVER — It was a wild Sunday afternoon at Coors field. The first inning had a bean ball and a couple ejections, there was some sign stealing shenanigans, an idiot on the field, a ghost man on first, and the final out coming by way of review. The Rockies ultimately lost 9-7, losing the series and dropping their season record to 12-11.
Scary moment early
In the first inning, Germán Márquez lost a fastball that went up, in, and hit Kris Bryant near the lid of his helmet. He was shaken up and had to leave the game, but it sounds like he’s okay. He got a laceration above his eye, but no concussion.
“I was just trying to pitch in and obviously that one got away, I’m glad to hear he’s doing fine,” Márquez said.
Not all losses are the same
The Cubs got off to a fast start with three runs in the first, and they were up 6-0 after three innings. Still, the Rockies made it a game for a time. Trevor Story, with an assist from the sun, tripled in two runs in the bottom of the third, and in the fifth Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado hit back to back home runs to make it a 6-4 game. Then, one of those things happened that just make you think, “If the Rockies lose, they sure deserve the ‘L.’”
With runners on first and second with one and, and with the Cubs working with a short bench, Joe Maddon sent reliever Steve Cishek up to the plate to try and lay down a bunch. Bud Black even went out before the plate appearance to visit with Mike Dunn and the Rockies infield. Cishek was indeed able to lay down a bunt in fair territory, but a failed wheel play left first base undefended, and Cishek trotted down for a base hit.
“In that situation, (Desmond) will probably tell you that he needed to get back to first base,” Black said.
Just like he dreamed it up as a kid.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 22, 2018
Congrats on your first @MLB hit, @srSHREK31! pic.twitter.com/d0yNAIX3GQ
A groundout and a double later, and the Cubs’ lead was once again comfortable, 9-4. The Rockies chipped away and scored three more, but the on-field miscue did them in.
Dahl debuts
The game also featured the season debut for David Dahl, who was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. Despite strikeouts in his first three at bats, Dahl reached in his last two trips to the plate to salvage a 1-for-4 day with a walk and an RBI.
“The final two at bats were really good,” Dahl said. “Especially when I’m walking, that means I took some fastballs.”
Looking ahead
The Rockies welcome the Padres to town for a three game series starting Monday night. Chad Bettis will face Bryan Mitchell, and first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 MT.