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Suzuki homers to extend hot start, Cubs beat Rockies 6-4

Posted April 17, 2022 1:00 am

By MICHAEL KELLY Associated Press

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki follows the flight of his solo home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Ashton Goudeau in the seventh inning Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Denver. Associated Press

DENVER - Seiya Suzuki hit his 4th home run, extending an impressive start to his major league career, and the Cubs defeated the Colorado Rockies 6-4 on Sunday.

Willson Contreras also went deep for the Cubs. Nick Madrigal had 3 hits and Nico Hoerner drove in 2 runs.

Suzuki is batting .400 and has hit safely in eight straight games with an at-bat. The outfielder from Japan has reached base in all nine games to begin his Cubs career.

Rowan Wick (1-0) won in relief and David Robertson earned his 3rd save.

Ryan McMahon homered for the Rockies.

The Cubs roughed up Colorado starter Austin Gomber (0-1) for 5 runs - 4 earned - in 4⅓ innings. Contreras hit a solo homer in the first, Hoerner had a 2-run double in the second and Frank Schwindel made it 4-0 with an RBI single in the third.

Gomber was chased in the fifth when the Cubs loaded the bases with one out. Yan Gomes had an RBI single off reliever Ashton Goudeau.

Chicago starter Drew Smyly struck out four in 4⅔ innings and left after a single by Yonathan Daza put runners on first and second with two outs. Scott Effross got Connor Joe to ground out to end the inning, but the Rockies came back in the sixth.

Elias Diaz's RBI single gave Colorado its first run and McMahon hit his first homer of the year off Michael Rucker to make it 5-3.

Suzuki's solo homer in the seventh made it a three-run game.

Colorado loaded the bases twice in the bottom of the seventh but managed just 1 run on Kris Bryant's sacrifice fly.

Trainer's room

Cubs: RHP Alec Mills (lower back strain) threw a bullpen Saturday and is expected to face hitters in the coming days. The next step would be a minor league rehab assignment. ... LHP Wade Miley (left elbow inflammation) threw off a mound Saturday for the first time since spring training.

Rockies: Placed INF Garrett Hampson on the 10-day injured list with a bruised right hand and recalled infielder Colton Welker from Triple-A Albuquerque. ... OF Randal Grichuk returned to the lineup after missing three games with back soreness. He went 2 for 4.

Up next

Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks (0-1, 7.00 ERA) opens a home series against Tampa Bay on Monday night.

Rockies: RHP Chad Kuhl (0-0, 2.08) makes his home debut when Colorado begins a three-game series against Philadelphia on Monday night.

Cubs outfielder Michael Hermosillo heads down the third-base line to score on a double hit by infielder Nico Hoerner off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Austin Gomber in the second inning Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Denver Associated Press

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black, left, pulls starting pitcher Austin Gomber, center, from the mound as third baseman Ryan McMahon looks on after Gomber issued an intentional walk to Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki to load the bases in the fifth inning Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Denver. Associated Press

Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner throws to first base to put out Colorado Rockies' Brendan Rodgers in the second inning Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Denver. Associated Press

Cubs first baseman Frank Schwindel follows the flight of his RBI-single off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Austin Gomber in the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Denver. Associated Press

Colorado Rockies designated hitter Kris Bryant, right, reacts after striking out as Cubs catcher Yan Gomes heads to the dugout to end the third inning Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Denver. Associated Press

Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner follows the flight of his double to drive in 2 runs off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Austin Gomber in the second inning Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Denver. Associated Press

Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki heads to first base after drawing a walk from Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Austin Gomber in the second inning Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Denver. Associated Press

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