Cubs Top Rockies to End 13-Game Wrigley Field Losing Streak
CHICAGO (AP) — Rafael Ortega hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Chicago Cubs ended their longest home losing streak with a 6-4 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.
Rafael Ortega walk-off 💣 pic.twitter.com/kSXrKE6UZR
— MLB (@MLB) August 24, 2021
Pinch-hitter Jason Heyward started the ninth with a single, and Ortega came up an out later and hit the game's only homer to right as the Cubs scored five runs in the final two innings to snap a 13-game losing streak at Wrigley Field, the longest in franchise history.
Rafael Ortega walk-off 💣 pic.twitter.com/kSXrKE6UZR
— MLB (@MLB) August 24, 2021
"It's no secret we haven't won recently," Ortega said through a translator. "We haven't done well, but this shows the fight we have. It really felt good today to get that win."
Reliever David Bard (7-9) allowed the game-winner after a walk-filled eighth inning helped the Cubs to get closer.
"I don't think I've smiled after a game in a while," said Cubs manager David Ross, whose team is 5-18 since the trade deadline. "It was nice."
Rockies reliever Jhoulys Chacin walked the bases loaded on 12 straight pitches to start the eighth and Michael Hermosillo doubled to cap a three-run rally that tied the game at 4-all.
"That was an aberration," Rockies manager Bud Black said of Chacin's dozen pitches. "That was a tough one for J.C. No one feels worse than him."
Sam Hilliard singled home a pair to cap a three-run first for the Rockies, who later got a sacrifice fly from Connor Joe. C.J. Cron had three hits for Colorado, which dropped its second straight after a five-game winning streak.
Manuel Rodriguez (2-2) earned the victory after pitching the ninth for Chicago.
The Cubs also loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth, but Antonio Senzatela gave up just a run after getting David Bote to ground into a double play.
Hermosillo's pop-up ended the inning.
Kyle Hendricks, seeking an MLB-best 15th win, gave up the first four Colorado runs on nine hits while striking out six with no walks.
Senzatela is still looking for his first victory since June 2 after allowing five hits and an earned run while striking out six in the first six innings.