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Rockies clobber Cubs

Aug 7, 2014 - 6:00 AM Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Carlos Gonzalez's two-run homer highlighted Colorado's six-run sixth inning, as the Rockies pounded the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, 13-4, in the middle installment of a three-game set.

The Cubs led 4-3 through five, but Nolan Arenado doubled in Justin Morneau to tie the score and Gonzalez followed with his 11th homer of the season.

"Hopefully this is a sign that CarGo is getting on track again," said Rockies manager Walt Weiss. "We've seen him have a night like this many times. When he gets rolling, it's something to see."

Chicago starter Jake Arrieta (6-3) allowed four more hits in the inning before finally getting the axe. He was charged with nine runs on 13 hits over five- plus forgettable innings.

"I knew after my bullpen session that I was going to have to make a pretty substantial adjustment to command the ball," Arrieta said.

Corey Dickerson went 4-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored, while Gonzalez finished with three hits and three runs in the victory. Michael McKenry also went yard for the Rockies, who snapped a five-game losing skid.

Jordan Lyles picked up the win in his return to the mound following a two- month hiatus with a broken left hand. Lyles (6-1) allowed four runs on six hits over six innings of work.

Chris Coghlan, like Dickerson, finished a home run shy of the cycle for the Cubs. Arismendy Alcantara hit his third homer of the season.

After Gonzalez made it 6-4, the Rockies weren't done in the sixth. Dickerson doubled and McKenry singled to put runners in scoring position for DJ LeMahieu, who reached safely on an RBI bunt single down the first-base line. Pinch-hitter Brandon Barnes finally ended Arrieta's outing with an RBI single to left.

The one positive for Chicago was the return of relief pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa, who relieved Arrieta and recorded the final three outs of the sixth in just 10 pitches. Fujikawa hadn't pitched since May 26 of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Dickerson drove in two more runs in the seventh and McKenry added a two-run homer to make it 13-4.

Earlier, Coghlan opened the game with a triple to right-center, and Anthony Rizzo's sacrifice fly gave the Cubs an early 1-0 advantage.

Alcantara padded the cushion in the fourth inning, following Luis Valbuena's two-out walk with a home run to right.

The Rockies fought back to tie the score in the home fourth, with a pair of triples leading to two of the three runs. Morneau hit his third triple of the season and scored on an Arenado ground out. With two away, Gonzalez singled and Dickerson looped a three-bagger down the right-field line to trim the deficit to a run. McKenry knotted the score, grounding the first pitch he saw sharply to left.

Game Notes

Arrieta ended his stretch of 10 straight quality starts ... The Rockies improved to 21-9 against the Cubs at Coors Field since last losing a series to Chicago there in August, 2004 ... Gonzalez (ankle) hadn't started since August 1 ... Lyles was activated from the 60-day disabled list prior to the game and pitcher Brett Anderson was placed on the 15-day DL. The Rockies also recalled pitcher Brooks Brown from Triple-A Colorado Springs and designated outfielder Jason Pridie for assignment ... To make room for Fujikawa, the Cubs designated outfielder Nate Schierholtz for assignment.