Rockies vs Cubs Recap: Crow-Armstrong's heroics lift Cubs

The Rockies rolled into Wrigley Field looking to bounce back. Colorado had lost its last game and needed a win on the road. The Cubs sat at 38-35, riding a one-game winning streak at home. Michael Lorenzen took the mound for Denver, ready to battle Chicago's lineup. But Pete Crow-Armstrong had other plans. On Lorenzen's fourth pitch of the game, a 90 mph cutter came in. Crow-Armstrong crushed it to center field. The ball sailed 434 feet and cleared the wall. The Cubs jumped ahead 1-0 before the Rockies even stepped into the box. Chicago's dynamic young center fielder had announced himself loudly in the first inning.

The game stayed tight through the middle innings. In the sixth inning, things got interesting. Phil Maton was pitching for the Cubs when Cole Carrigg stepped up with two outs. Maton threw four pitches, and Carrigg worked the count to a full 1-1. Then Maton uncorked a wild pitch. Carrigg drew the walk, and Freeman scored from second base. The Rockies tied it 1-1. But Chicago answered right back. Matt Shaw laced a triple to right field, and Ballesteros scored on the play. The Cubs retook the lead 2-1. Then in the eighth inning, Carrigg came through again. Caleb Thielbar's first fastball came in high, and Carrigg was ready. He crushed it deep to left field for a three-run blast.

The Rockies led 4-3 going into the bottom of the ninth. Colorado's bullpen tried to shut the door, but the Cubs had other ideas. Seth Halvorsen took over for Denver on the mound. Pedro Ramirez stepped up and singled to left field. That brought Suzuki home, tying the game at 4-4. The crowd at Wrigley erupted. Matt Shaw came up next. Halvorsen threw fastballs, but Shaw had his timing down. The first pitch was a ball. The count climbed to 1-0, then 2-0, then 3-0, then full at 3-2. Then came ball four. Shaw walked, and Happ scored from third. Chicago won 5-4. The Cubs improved to 39-35 while Colorado dropped to 27-47. Another tough road loss for Denver, but the game showed Cole Carrigg is becoming a big-time hitter.