Tough end to road trip as Cubs lose 11-5 to Rockies

After further review, the Cubs road trip was still a lackluster one.

With a chance to come home from a three-city, 10-game trip at 5-5, the Cubs instead got themselves rocked by the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.

The Rockies scored twice in the first inning and four times in the second to win 11-5 and take three of four. The Cubs ended the road trip 4-6, and they come home tonight to face the world champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Not that it mattered a whole lot, the Cubs even were involved in their first instant replay.

The Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki hit a ball down the left-field line over the wall and near the foul pole in the second inning. The umpires originally called it a foul ball. After Colorado manager Jim Tracy argued, the umpires went to the replay room, where they upheld the call.

Tulowitzki wound up with a 2-run single on the way to hitting for the cycle and driving in 7 runs.

Believe it or not, the Cubs actually were in this game for a while. They left the bases loaded in the first inning, when Alfonso Soriano grounded into an inning-ending forceout.

In the second, they also left the bases loaded, with Derrek Lee striking out to end it.

The Rockies got to Cubs starting pitcher Tom Gorzelanny with two outs in the first inning. Todd Helton singled, and Tulowitzki homered to left.

It wound up being a short night for Gorzelanny, who left in Colorado's 4-run second. Clint Barmes got things going with a one-out solo homer.

With one out and runners on first and third, Dexter Fowler grounded one off Gorzelanny's right foot. Gorzelanny slipped while trying to throw home, and he had to leave the game with what the Cubs termed a "contusion."

The Cubs turned to rookie Esmailin Caridad, who was called up from Class AAA Iowa earlier Monday. Caridad made his major-league debut and helped to save the bullpen with 51/3 innings. He gave up 7 hits and 3 runs.

Tulowitzki stole the show from there. He doubled in the Rockies' 2-run fourth. He legged out a triple to the left-field corner in the seventh for the cycle. He hit a 2-run single in the eighth for good measure.

Bruce Miles' game tracker

Rockies 11, Cubs 5

Lobsters: The Cubs left 13 runners on base. They left the bases loaded in the first, second and eighth innings.

Mr. OBP: Right fielder Milton Bradley entered the game with a .401 on-base percentage, best among Cubs regulars. He singled once, walked once, grounded out once and struck out twice.

Tulo-cycle: Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki hit for the cycle, ending up with 5 hits and 7 RBI. He became the fifth Rockies player to hit for the cycle, joining Dante Bichette, Neifi Perez, Todd Helton and Mike Lansing. All came at Coors Field.

Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet Tuesday and Thursday; Channel 9 Wednesday

Radio: WGN 720-AM

Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Rich Harden (7-7) vs. J.A. Happ (8-2) or Pedro Martinez (0-0) Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.; Jeff Samardzija (1-1) vs. Cliff Lee (9-9) Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Dempster (6-5) vs. Joe Blanton (7-6) Thursday at 1:20 p.m.

At a glance: The Cubs lost two of three at Philly late last month. Lefty Happ is a leading Rookie of the Year candidate, with a 2.74 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. Samardzija makes his first big-league start against Lee, whom the Phils obtained from the Indians. The Phillies ranked first in the NL in runs, homers and OPS through Sunday. Entering Monday, the Cubs were 10th in runs, fourth in homers and seventh in OPS. Cubs pitchers entered Monday fifth in ERA, at 3.83. The Phillies were 11th, a 4.40.

Next: Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field, Friday-Sunday

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