Dexter Fowler heroics help Colorado Rockies rout Chicago Cubs 9-5 – MLB Update
Colorado Rockies’ centre-fielder Dexter Fowler had a notable day with bat as he took a two-run double with two-out in the eighth inning as the Rockies beat the Chicago Cubs 9-5 at Coors Field, Colorado, on 17
April.
Fowler continued to attack on every pitch of the Cubs’ reliever Macros Mateo and gave his team a big lead over the rivals. Fowler said of Mateo, “He tried to get ahead of me with the fastball but his slider is his go-to pitch. I swung through one but I just
had to stay patient. He threw another and I just wanted to put the barrel on it and do something with it.”
Fowler played a crucial role in the Rockies’ lead as he pushed the ball towards the right-field position and stole runs. Ty Wigginton and Jose Morales knew the smart pitching of Mateo, which is why they picked him with an ease. Carlos Gonzalez struck four
hits including an RBI single while Jonathan Herrera had two runs on a single hit.
The Cubs’ Manager Mike Quade also praised the outstanding pitching of Fowler. Speaking to reporters, he said, “The one thing that Matty couldn't do, because he made some good pitches, was he couldn't finish somebody with a slider down and out of the strike
zone, and that's what he needed to do. It's a quality slider but just couldn't get it down enough.”
There were some worries for the Rockies when they lost Seth Smith in the fifth inning due to a left groin injury. He fulfilled his duty by scoring a double and a two-run homer for the Rockies, as he was replaced by Ryan Spilborghs.
To break the tie-runs, 10 batters from the Rockies were ready to perform their task at the plate. In the mean time, Jose Lopez hit a double and Spilborghs started that eighth inning well as he took an infield single against Mateo.
The Rockies’ relievers put them on top as they pitched five no-score innings in a game which is considered as the sign of success for a team. Rafael Betancourt threw some exemplary pitches in the eighth inning without giving a single run.
The new-comers Ryan Dempster and Alan Johnson from both the team did not do well for their sides. Johnson gave up five runs on six hits while Dempster permitted five runs in seven hits in the windy conditions at Coors Field. The Rockies took a lead of 5-4
by scoring four runs off Dempster and a walk given by Geovany Soto.
Starlin Castro had two-out double against Johnson in first inning but it was not too much for the Cubs. Castro started in a meaningful manner, but ended with just three hits.
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