Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/15/26): Cubs 5, Rockies 4 – PCA Hits for Cycle in Walk-Off Win
The Cubs were on their way to another frustrating loss against the Rockies on Monday night after giving up a late-game home run. Fortunately for the home team, a successful 9th-inning comeback erased the deficit and thrilled the crowd with a walk-off victory.
Pete Crow-Armstrong began what would be a tremendous night with a solo homer off of Michael Lorenzen in the bottom of the 1st that gave Chicago a 1-0 lead. Shōta Imanaga was in fine form on the mound, keeping scoreless through the first five frames.
Imanaga came out of the game with two on and two out in the top of the 6th. Phil Maton took over and subsequently walked Cole Carrigg with the bases loaded to force in the tying run. The North Siders went back in front in the bottom of the frame on an RBI triple by Matt Shaw.
PCA made history in the bottom of the 7th with a single that completed a cycle for just the 13th time in Cubs history. and just the fourth by a left-handed batter. Despite numerous scoring opportunities, however, the home squad clung to a 2-1 edge entering the 8th inning.
Chicago reliever Caleb Thielbar was in a jam in that 8th inning with two men on base, and Carrigg ripped a go-ahead three-run homer to put the Rockies on top 4-2. Crow-Armstrong kept his big night going with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the frame, but the Cubs were still behind 4-3.
Colorado gave the Cubs a golden opportunity in the bottom of the 9th with a walk, an error, and another walk to load the bases with nobody out. Pedro Ramírez then hit an RBI single against Seth Halvorsen to even the score, and Shaw followed with a walk to force in the winning run in an exciting 5-4 win. (Box score)
Key Moment
Ian Happ hit a ground ball back to reliever Juan Mejia with a man on first and nobody out in the 9th. Instead of going for the sure out at first, the pitcher spun and fired to second in an attempt to start a double play. Fortunately for Chicago, the throw sailed into the outfield and runners ended up at second and third. They would score the tying and winning runs later in the frame.
Why the Cubs Won
They finally took advantage of the free runners Colorado continued to give them.
Stats That Matter
- Imanaga has strung together a couple of good outings after his rough stretch: 5.2 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 3 K, and 1 BB.
- PCA had the reverse cycle: home run, triple, double, and single in order.
- Ramírez came off the bench and got two singles with a terrific at-bat on the game-tying single.
- Shaw had a single in addition to his triple and winning walk.
Bottom Line
The Cubs are showing signs of progress in several areas, but the continued issues with runners in scoring position have to improve if they really want to play well. With the huge struggles of Dansby Swanson, it’s getting very hard to keep Ramírez out of the lineup. Crow-Armstrong is on a tear right now and it’s the kind of thing that can carry a team.
On Deck
Game two of the series is Tuesday night at 7:05pm CT. Edward Cabrera takes on Ryan Feltner in a contest televised on Marquee with a radio broadcast on The Score.
