{"id":9403,"date":"2024-02-29T17:03:46","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T01:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=9403"},"modified":"2024-02-29T20:04:39","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T04:04:39","slug":"rockies-cubs-20240229","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2024\/02\/29\/rockies-cubs-20240229\/","title":{"rendered":"Rockies Outlast Cubs in Cactus League Slugfest"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Rockies 10, Cubs 9<\/h2>\n<p>MESA, Ariz. (Feb. 29) \u2014 The <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/rockies\/\">Colorado Rockies<\/a> edged the <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/cubs\/\">Chicago Cubs<\/a>, 10\u20139, in Cactus League play Thursday afternoon at Sloan Park. Rockies shortstop <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tovarez01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ezequiel Tovar<\/a><\/strong> batted 3-for-3 from the leadoff spot, a triple shy of the cycle with two runs scored and a run batted in. \u201cBig day. Three hits, homer. On time. That&#8217;s the thing that stood out for me. Hit every pitch \u2014 hit an off-speed pitch, hit a fastball. He was on time,\u201d said Rockies manager <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=blackbu02,blackbu01&amp;search=Bud+Black&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bud Black<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The Rockies took the lead in the top of the second off Cubs starter <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/smylydr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Drew Smyly<\/a><\/strong>. Designated hitter <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/toglimi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Michael Toglia<\/a><\/strong> dumped a single near the line in shallow right and advanced to second on an infield single to third by center fielder <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/doylebr02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Brenton Doyle<\/a><\/strong>. Three batters later, third baseman <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=carrer001jul&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Julio Carreras<\/a><\/strong> smashed a two-out drive to the berm in left-center, giving the Rockies a 3\u20130 lead on the round-tripper.<\/p>\n<p>The top of the third saw the Rockies extend their lead. Tovar led off with a deep liner to the berm in center, making the score 4\u20130. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Doyle. In came <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=clarke000chr&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Chris Clarke<\/a><\/strong> to relieve Smyly. He got Doyle to ground into a 6\u20134\u20133 double play, notching two big outs despite the Rockies scoring their fifth run. A strikeout by right fielder <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/z\/zimmebr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bradley Zimmer<\/a><\/strong> ended the frame.<\/p>\n<p>The Cubs slashed the deficit to 5\u20132 in the bottom of the third off <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lambepe01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Peter Lambert<\/a><\/strong>, who relieved Rockies starter <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hudsoda02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Dakota Hudson<\/a><\/strong> in the second. A single by shortstop <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/swansda01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Dansby Swanson<\/a><\/strong> and walk by third baseman <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/morelch01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Christopher Morel<\/a><\/strong>, both with one out, set the table for second baseman <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hoernni01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Nico Hoerner<\/a><\/strong>. The runners each advanced one base on a wild pitch and scored when Hoerner ultimately singled.<\/p>\n<h4>More Slugging, More Scoring<\/h4>\n<p>A leadoff single by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mervima01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Matt Mervis<\/a><\/strong> and two-out double by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=caissi000owe&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Owen Caissie<\/a><\/strong> made the score 5\u20133 in the bottom of the fourth. The Rockies responded in the top of the fifth. Tovar doubled to deep center and scored on a single to left-center by left fielder <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jonesno01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Nolan Jones<\/a><\/strong>. First baseman <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/monteel01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Elehuris Montero<\/a><\/strong> brought Jones home when he clubbed a homer to left-center, making the score 8\u20133.<\/p>\n<p>Morel led off the fifth with a single and later scored from third on a single to left by catcher <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/alfarjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jorge Alfaro<\/a><\/strong>, giving the Cubs their fourth run. In the top of the seventh, a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=lavign000gra&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Grant Lavigne<\/a><\/strong> single and Michael Toglia walk brought up <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=bernab000war&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Warming Bernabel<\/a><\/strong> with an RBI opportunity. He cashed in with a single to center, scoring Lavigne for a 9\u20134 lead. A leadoff homer by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=hudsojo03,hudsojo02&amp;search=Joe+Hudson&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Joe Hudson<\/a><\/strong> in the bottom of the seventh, combined with a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=rojas-003jef&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jefferson Rojas<\/a><\/strong> double and Jonathan Long single, trimmed the Rockies lead to 9\u20136. It became a 9\u20138 game in the bottom of the eighth thanks to a double to right-center by Caissie and homer to left-center by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/boteda01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">David Bote<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The Rockies padded their lead in the top of the ninth. Lavigne led off with a single, and pinch-runner <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=veen--001zac&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Zac Veen<\/a><\/strong> stole second. With one out, Bernabel singled Veen home. The Cubs came within a run in the bottom of the ninth on a one-out single by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/crowape01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Pete Crow-Armstrong<\/a><\/strong>, a stolen base, a two-out infield single to third by Caissie, and a wild pitch by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/adamsch01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Chance Adams<\/a><\/strong>. Bote ripped a low liner toward third that had \u201cgame-tying single\u201d written all over it, but a diving stab by Bernabel saved the day for the Rockies and sealed the victory.<\/p>\n<h3>What Went Right for the Rockies<\/h3>\n<h4>Top-of-the-order Production<\/h4>\n<p>The top five spots in the order \u2014 Ezequiel Tovar, Nolan Jones, Elehuris Montero, Michael Toglia, and Brenton Doyle \u2014 batted a combined 10-for-14 with a walk, a double, two home runs, four RBI, and seven runs scored. Jones\u2019s two hits both went to the opposite field, with the second one hit particularly hard. \u201cThat second one was a bullet,\u201d manager Bud Black said. \u201cFull count pitch. That was a good swing.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>Bench Production<\/h4>\n<p>Grant Lavigne, who relieved Montero at first base in the sixth, batted 2-for-2 with a run scored. Additionally, his pinch-runner \u2014 Veen \u2014 scored an insurance run in the ninth.<\/p>\n<h3>What Went Wrong for the Rockies<\/h3>\n<h4>Late-inning Relief<\/h4>\n<p>Rockies relievers gave up five runs over the last three innings to turn what could have been a comfortable win into a nailbiter. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/beeksja02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jalen Beeks<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kochma01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Matt Koch<\/a><\/strong> gave up two runs apiece, and Chance Adams gave up the fifth run. Each of the three tossed an inning of relief.<\/p>\n<h4>Inopportune Double Plays<\/h4>\n<p>The Rockies grounded into two double plays, one that could have been costly. One came in the first with Tovar on second and one out with Tovar at the plate. The other came off the bat of Doyle with the bases loaded and nobody out in the top of the third. A run still scored on the play, yes, but the base situation ended up being runner on third and two outs.<\/p>\n<h3>Quotes<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cThis is a totally different kind of heat. It&#8217;s a little bit drier. So I feel like I&#8217;m trying to keep my hands moist out there versus looking for a towel everywhere I can get. But it&#8217;s pretty interesting. It&#8217;s a great place to play. There are people that show up to all the games, and that&#8217;s a lot of fun.\u201d <em>\u2014 Rockies starter Dakota Hudson on pitching in the Cactus League vs. the Grapefruit League<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cFrom the guys on the team, I&#8217;ve heard it&#8217;s a little bit like an entry-level, getting-you-used-to-how-you&#8217;re-supposed-to-pitch at Coors (Field). That&#8217;s getting used to the ball flying a little bit and how your stuff\u2019s gonna break. So I&#8217;m excited to get to take a few weeks and a few outings to adjust to that and then get into Coors once I&#8217;m primed and ready.\u201d <em>\u2014 Hudson on the adjustments he has to make pitching in Arizona<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI liked the movement to his pitches. The fastball had some movement. Breaking ball had spin. Threw some change-ups. Probably not as sharp as he would have liked to be in his first outing. But overall, I liked the movement to his pitches.\u201d \u2014 Black on Hudson<\/p>\n<h3>Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n<p>Both the Rockies and Cubs play again on Friday. The Rockies return to Salt River Fields, their spring home, on Friday for a matinee with the <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/mariners\/\">Seattle Mariners<\/a>. Lefty <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/freelky01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Kyle Freeland<\/a><\/strong> will start for the Rockies, facing Mariners righty <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/woobr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bryan Woo<\/a><\/strong>. First pitch will be at 1:10 pm Mountain Time. A few miles southward, the Cubs will host the cross-town rival <a href=\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/white-sox\/\">Chicago White Sox<\/a> at Sloan Field. Cubs lefty <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/steelju01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Justin Steele<\/a><\/strong> will square off with White Sox righty <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kopecmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-02-29_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Michael Kopech<\/a><\/strong>. First pitch will be at 1:05 pm Mountain Time.<\/p>\n<h4>Main Photo Credits:<\/h4>\n<p><em>MESA, Ariz. (Feb 29) \u2014 Drew Smyly of the Chicago Cubs throws the first pitch of the game to Ezequiel Tovar of the Colorado Rockies at Sloan Park in Cactus League play. (Photo by Evan Thompson\/Sport Relay)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rockies 10, Cubs 9 MESA, Ariz. (Feb. 29) \u2014 The Colorado Rockies edged the Chicago Cubs, 10\u20139, in Cactus League play Thursday afternoon at Sloan Park. Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar batted 3-for-3 from the leadoff spot, a triple shy of the cycle with two runs scored and a run batted in. \u201cBig day. Three hits, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9402,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[34,40],"tags":[1481,1494,1480,1269,1495,1486,356,1489,608],"class_list":["post-9403","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cubs","category-rockies","tag-2024-cactus-league","tag-2024-chicago-cubs","tag-2024-colorado-rockies","tag-brenton-doyle","tag-dakota-hudson","tag-elehuris-montero","tag-ezequiel-tovar","tag-michael-toglia","tag-nolan-jones","pmpro-has-access","eq-blocks"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Rockies Outlast Cubs in Slugfest - Sport Relay<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Colorado Rockies edged the Chicago Cubs, 10\u20139, in Cactus League play Thursday. 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