Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/13/24): Rockies 9, Cubs 5 – Rockies Too Good…Man

For a second consecutive game, the Cubs battled back to erase a deficit only to see their opponent rally against the bullpen late and hand them a 9-5 defeat. The story of the game for the Rockies was light-hitting catcher Hunter Goodman, who absolutely went off for a pair of home runs and seven RBI Friday.

The North Siders went ahead immediately when Cody Bellinger hit a two-run single off of Austin Gomber in the 1st inning. Colorado took the lead with three against Javier Assad in the bottom of the 2nd as Brendan Rodgers had an RBI double followed by a go-ahead two-run shot from Goodman.

The Rox backstop made it 4-2 when he singled home Michael Toglia in the 4th. The Cubs had numerous chances to score on Gomber but could not break through and it remained a two-run game. Assad eventually pitched six frames and was able to keep his team in the game.

Ezequiel Tovar cracked a solo shot off of reliever Ethan Roberts to give Colorado a 5-2 advantage in the 7th. Chicago made their big move in the 8th against hard-throwing righty Victor Vodnik as Bellinger and Isaac Paredes hit back-to-back singles to put two on for Michael Busch. The Cubs first baseman crushed a hanging slider for a game-tying three-run blast to the upper deck in right.

You did that, Michael.💥 pic.twitter.com/t2o5UjokMv

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 14, 2024

Drew Smyly came on in the bottom of the frame and ran into immediate trouble, giving up two hits and a walk to load the bases with nobody out. Nate Pearson took over for Smyly with one out and the bags still packed to face Goodman, who completed his career night by smacking a game-winning grand slam that put the contest on ice. (Box score)

Key Moment

Letting an opponent load the bases at Coors almost never ends well and it certainly didn’t for the Cubs Friday night. An unexpected Rockies player did the damage but the result was hardly a shock.

Why the Cubs Lost

The bullpen, which has been very good the past few months, is starting to get a little leaky the past few games and it cost them Friday.

Stats That Matter

• Assad is still battling some control issues but he did a fine job in the offensive paradise of Coors: 6 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 5 K, and 3 BB.
• Paredes had three more hits and is starting to heat up after a big slump.
• Busch hit the ball hard on Friday with two knocks in addition to the home run.

Bottom Line

Weird things happen during games in Denver and it feels like things get even stranger when the Cubs are involved, so it’s really hard to put much stock in what happened in this one. Some people are saying this may be the final blow to Chicago’s playoff chances. To be honest, I think those people are wildly optimistic and this team has been out of the race for at least two weeks. Despite whatever fraction of a postseason chance remains, these last two weeks of the season are about getting ready for 2025.

On Deck

Game two of the series is Saturday night at 7:10pm CT. Jameson Taillon takes the hill against Kyle Freeland in a contest broadcast on Marquee and 670 The Score.