Chicago, IL – Nolan Arenado hit the go-ahead single in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Colorado Rockies edged the Chicago Cubs, 4-3, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Coors Field.
With Edwin Jackson (6-11) pitching and the game tied at 2-2, Carlos Gonzalez drew a two-out walk and stole second base. Next was Michael Cuddyer, who was also walked. Gonzalez scored on Arenado's base hit to center and Cuddyer scored on a throwing error by center fielder Junior Lake.
Colorado starter Tyler Chatwood (6-3) gave up two runs -- one earned -- on seven hits and four walks over six innings. Rex Brothers allowed one run in the ninth but notched his fifth save.
"I think when I get in trouble is when I try to do too much rather than try to make my pitches like I was trying to do the whole day," said Chatwood. "Just go out there and try not to do too much. Just make your pitches and try not to be too fine."
Anthony Rizzo had a home run while Alfonso Soriano and Darwin Barney drove in one run apiece for the Cubs, who were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
"We had guys on all day and we just didn't get that big hit," said Rizzo. "Hats off to them for making the pitches they needed to make but we just need to keep fighting and keep plugging away."
Jackson surrendered four runs -- three earned -- on five hits and a pair of walks in seven frames.
Colorado scored two runs in the first. Charlie Blackmon hit a ground rule double to left with one out. Gonzalez brought him home with a two-out single to left center and scored on a Michael Cuddyer double to right center.
The Cubs didn't have much success offensively, until the sixth. Rizzo led off with a solo shot to left. Nate Schierholtz delivered a one-out single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Barney, tying the game at 2-2.
They had a chance to take the lead with two out and the bases loaded, but Jackson hit a grounder towards Troy Tulowitzki to end the inning.
In the ninth, Brothers gave up a leadoff double to Starlin Castro. Two batters later, Soriano grounded out but was able to score Castro to cut the deficit to one.
Pinch-hitter Cody Ransom drew a walk with two outs, but Brothers struck out Lake to end the game.
Game Notes
The Cubs were 1-for-24 with runners in scoring position this series and are 173-for-745 (.232) for the season ... Jordan Pacheco pinch-hit in the seventh inning, but grounded out in his only at-bat, ending a 10-game hitting streak ... Brothers has allowed two runs since the All-Star break. He allowed just four runs before the break, including 32 straight scoreless appearances from April 20-June 28.
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