Seven deadly runs on seven deadly hits in the second inning sank the Rockies and rookie left-hander Sean Sullivan.
Toss out that ugly inning and an 8-6 loss to the Cubs on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field could have been a much different story.
Because the Rockies did so many things right after falling behind 7-0, beginning with rookie outfielder Sterlin Thompson hitting the first two home runs of his career. Then Hunter Goodman’s two-run homer in Colorado’s three-run eighth put the Rockies within rally distance.
In the end, it wasn’t enough, and the Cubs took two of the three in the series, and Colorado finished its road trip 2-4.
Key Moments: In the second innings, Chicago teed off on Sullivan, who was making his second big league start. The inning included a leadoff walk by Alex Bregman, a two-run triple by Matt Shaw, a two-run homer by Dansby Swanson, and an RBI double by Seiya Suzuki.
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s leadoff homer down the right field line in the fourth compounded a tough night for Sullivan. However, Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer told reporters postgame that he was certain the home run should have been ruled a foul ball.
Thompson’s first career homer was a one-out shot to left in the third off Javier Assad. His second was a one-out blast to right-center off Assad in the fifth.
Who’s hot: Thompson, who added a double in the seventh for a 3-for-4 night that raised his average from .207 to .242.
Third baseman Kyle Karros hit a solo home run in the ninth, his fourth of the season. He’s hitting .359 (23 for 64) with five doubles, one triple, three home runs, and nine RBIs over his last 21 games.
Goodman’s home run was his 21st. The catcher is one of three rookies in franchise history with 50-plus hits and 10-plus home runs in the first half of the season, joining Todd Helton and Trevor Story.
Who’s not: Sullivan, who gave up eight runs on nine hits, including two homers, in four innings.
Worth noting: Thompson became the first visiting player to hit his first two career home runs in the same game at Wrigley Field since the Astros’ Orlando Miller on July 10, 1994.
Pitching probables
Thursday: Off day
Friday: Pirates RHP Bubba Chandler (2-7, 4.76 ERA) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-7, 7.98 ERA), 6:40 p.m.
Saturday: Pirates RHP Paul Skenes (6-6, 2.85) at Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (7-4, 4.79), 7:10 p.m.
Sunday: Pirates RHP Jared Jones (1-1, 6.23) at Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-8, 7.13), 1:10 p.m.
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM
