Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Carlos Gonzalez's two-run homer highlighted
Colorado's six-run sixth inning, as the Rockies pounded the Chicago Cubs on
Wednesday, 13-4, in the middle installment of a three-game set.
The Cubs led 4-3 through five, but Nolan Arenado doubled in Justin Morneau to
tie the score and Gonzalez followed with his 11th homer of the season.
"Hopefully this is a sign that CarGo is getting on track again," said Rockies
manager Walt Weiss. "We've seen him have a night like this many times. When he
gets rolling, it's something to see."
Chicago starter Jake Arrieta (6-3) allowed four more hits in the inning before
finally getting the axe. He was charged with nine runs on 13 hits over five-
plus forgettable innings.
"I knew after my bullpen session that I was going to have to make a pretty
substantial adjustment to command the ball," Arrieta said.
Corey Dickerson went 4-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored, while
Gonzalez finished with three hits and three runs in the victory. Michael
McKenry also went yard for the Rockies, who snapped a five-game losing skid.
Jordan Lyles picked up the win in his return to the mound following a two-
month hiatus with a broken left hand. Lyles (6-1) allowed four runs on six
hits over six innings of work.
Chris Coghlan, like Dickerson, finished a home run shy of the cycle for the
Cubs. Arismendy Alcantara hit his third homer of the season.
After Gonzalez made it 6-4, the Rockies weren't done in the sixth. Dickerson
doubled and McKenry singled to put runners in scoring position for DJ
LeMahieu, who reached safely on an RBI bunt single down the first-base line.
Pinch-hitter Brandon Barnes finally ended Arrieta's outing with an RBI single
to left.
The one positive for Chicago was the return of relief pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa,
who relieved Arrieta and recorded the final three outs of the sixth in just 10
pitches. Fujikawa hadn't pitched since May 26 of last season after undergoing
Tommy John surgery.
Dickerson drove in two more runs in the seventh and McKenry added a two-run
homer to make it 13-4.
Earlier, Coghlan opened the game with a triple to right-center, and
Anthony Rizzo's sacrifice fly gave the Cubs an early 1-0 advantage.
Alcantara padded the cushion in the fourth inning, following Luis Valbuena's
two-out walk with a home run to right.
The Rockies fought back to tie the score in the home fourth, with a pair of
triples leading to two of the three runs. Morneau hit his third triple of the
season and scored on an Arenado ground out. With two away, Gonzalez singled
and Dickerson looped a three-bagger down the right-field line to trim the
deficit to a run. McKenry knotted the score, grounding the first pitch he saw
sharply to left.
Game Notes
Arrieta ended his stretch of 10 straight quality starts ... The Rockies
improved to 21-9 against the Cubs at Coors Field since last losing a series to
Chicago there in August, 2004 ... Gonzalez (ankle) hadn't started since August
1 ... Lyles was activated from the 60-day disabled list prior to the game and
pitcher Brett Anderson was placed on the 15-day DL. The Rockies also recalled
pitcher Brooks Brown from Triple-A Colorado Springs and designated outfielder
Jason Pridie for assignment ... To make room for Fujikawa, the Cubs designated
outfielder Nate Schierholtz for assignment.