Colorado Rockies Defeat The Chicago Cubs: A Saturday Night Feast

“Feast or famine” has become the cliche to describe the Colorado Rockies offense this season. By bunching together high scores in blow-out victories and scoring one or zero runs in some ugly losses, they have managed to make a decidedly average offense look good on paper.

Todd Helton helped lead the way for the Rockies on Saturday. Image: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Rockies have lost at least as many games because of their hitting as they have their pitching, yet because of the so-called “feast” games, they rank near the top of the National League in many offensive categories: second in runs scored with 436, second in hits with 898, second with a team batting average of .265, and second with 110 home runs.

Entering Saturday the Rockies were gasping thanks to a stretch of “famine” performances, scoring 20 total runs in 11 games. They needed a victory badly, and thankfully it came thanks to the offense.

On this night it was a glorious feast, with bountiful food and drinks for all and merriment abundant. Surely the team hopes this win will point them the right direction for the rest of this home stand. Fueled by their bats and sound though unspectacular pitching, the Rockies defeated the Chicago Cubs 9-3.

Every starter except Nolan Arenado contributed at least one hit (and he drove in a run on a grounder). Todd Helton (3-4, 1 RBI, 2 runs) and Dexter Fowler (2-3, 3 RBI, and a triple) were the offensive stars for the Rockies. After Juan Nicasio fought his way through five inefficient innings, the bullpen scrapped together the rest. That included a bumpy but ultimately clean debut from the newly acquired Mitchell Boggs. He gave up a double and issued a walk before wiggling out of trouble and closing this victory down.

Tyler Chatwood takes the mound opposite Edwin Jackson on Sunday as the Rockies try to win the rubber match.