Colorado Rockies: 3 numbers to know from Sunday’s win over Cubs

CHICAGO — The L flag flew from the top of the Wrigley Field scoreboard again on Sunday, signifying not only a good road win for the Colorado Rockies, but also the securing of a series win over the Chicago Cubs and a winning road trip overall to the Windy City.

The Colorado Rockies scored three times in the first inning to give starting pitcher Ryan Feltner a cushion, then Connor Joe swatted a solo second-inning homer for what would become the winning run in a 4-3 Rockies victory.

Here are 3 numbers to know from the Sunday victory posted by the Colorado Rockies

38 — With a 2-for-4 performance on Sunday, Randal Grichuk now has a team-high 38 games this season with multiple hits. His two-run, first-inning single also gave him his 17th game of the campaign with multiple RBI.

Grichuk was part of a first-inning uprising for the Rockies that hasn’t been seen for a while away from Coors Field.

1.16 — That’s the ERA for Rockies reliever Carlos Estévez over his last 24 games covering 23.1 innings. With a scoreless eighth inning on Sunday, the 29-year-old right-hander logged his 13th hold of the campaign.

“He’s been really, really solid. We’ve seen that before in stretches, but maybe not this long,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “It’s good to see him pitching like this, using all of his pitches. It’s not just the fastball. The velocity has ticked up since early in the year, and the slider and change are a big part of mix. He’s using them.”

2 — That’s the number of home runs Joe has hit since June 7, but Sunday’s 393-foot blast into the left seats was a big one for the Rockies and for the 30-year-old outfielder as well. His teammates celebrated the home run in a big way once Joe returned to the dugout.

“My teammates are great. They’ve been awesome to me, not just this year, but last year as well,” Joe said. “To come back in there and see them all pumped up was really cool. It’s a good feeling.”

Joe has just nine at-bats in September and 50 in August and September combined. However, Joe maintains he is working hard and staying ready when an opportunity comes his way.

“No matter how long it’s been between starts, I’m able to put together good at-bats,” Joe said. “I’m just trying to be a good teammate and support these guys.”

Colorado opens a seven-game homestand against the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres on Monday night, kicking off a four-game series against San Francisco at 6:40 p.m. (Mountain time).