The Colorado Rockies were one out away from winning their second consecutive series to start the 2015 season before Dexter Fowler stepped up to the plate in the top of the ninth inning on Sunday in Denver. The former Rockies outfielder hit a two-run homerun to turn a one-run deficit into a 6-5 lead for the Chicago Cubs. Closer Hector Rondon finished off the Rockies in the bottom of the ninth to give the Cubs the edge in both the game and the series.
The Rockies have now lost two straight games after starting the season 4-0 for just the fourth time in club history. They posted five runs in all three matchups with the Cubs, but couldn’t overcome shaky pitching and defense. The Rockies pitching allowed 13 walks in the series.
Colorado held a 5-3 lead heading into the ninth inning, but Rockies closer Latroy Hawkins (1-1) blew his second consecutive save in the dramatic loss. Ironically, Hawkins and Fowler were close friends during their time together with the Rockies.
Colorado’s top-notch defense made an uncharacteristic four errors in the loss after committing just one in their first five contests. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was given the night off for rest.
Starting pitcher Jordan Lyles pitched well enough to win – allowing one earned run on five hits in six innings of work.
Left fielder Corey Dickerson extended his hitting streak to six games with two hits and a run in the series rubber match. The 25-year-old has a hit in every game so far this season.
DJ LaMahieu stayed red hot with a three-run, triple in the second inning. The second baseman also posted three hits in both of the first two games of the series. He went 7-for-12 with 4 RBIs, a triple, and two runs in the series.
Charlie Blackmon went 3-for-4 with an RBI, a run, and a stolen base in the loss.
It was the second consecutive win for the Cubs as the Rockies failed to get revenge for the 9-5 thrashing that they suffered on Saturday.
Kyle Kendrick (1-1) allowed eight runs on eight hits with five walks in five innings of work on Saturday. Chris Coghlan, Mike Olt, and Starlin Castro all hit solo homeruns on the Rockies starter. Fowler went 2-for-3 with two triples and two RBIs.
Dickerson and third baseman Nolan Arenado each went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs in Colorado’s first loss of the season. Arenado unloaded a two-run bomb to left center in the second inning.
The Rockies won the first game of the series 5-1 on Opening Day at Coors Field. Starting pitcher Tyler Matzek struggled with control and allowed one run on four hits before being pulled after just four innings. Colorado’s bullpen allowed just one hit in five innings of relief work.
Tulowitzki hit a two-run double in the fifth inning and first baseman Justin Morneau hit his first dinger of the season.
All things considered, it’s hard to be overly upset with a 4-2 start for a Rockies team marred by legitimate question marks. The club will start divisional play with a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Monday.
Nathan is a staff writer for Mile High Sports. He can be reached on Twitter at @TheRealNatron.
