Rockies explode for 6-run fifth to surge past Cardinals

DENVER — Rockies Report, Game 142:

ROCKIES BOTTOM LINE: As the residue lingered from umpire Doug Eddings’ Friday-night ejection of Cardinals manager Oli Marmol following Eddings’ command for St. Louis rookie pitcher Hancel Rincon to straighten his cap, the stage was set for unusual circumstances when the Rockies and St. Louis began their game Saturday night.

And most of the 39,768 on hand weren’t disappointed. Because on this night, the bobbles and wobbles came from the visitors.

Two errors, two wild pitches and a hit batter aided the Rockies, who were no-hit for the first four innings — then exploded for a six-run fifth mostly at the expense of Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore to take a lead that they built on before holding off St. Louis in the ninth for a 10-7 win Saturday night.

Liberatore mowed down the Rockies in the first four innings, ensuring that a pair of St. Louis home runs put the Cardinals up 3-0 midway through the fifth. But then came the deluge: a Cole Carrigg single, then after Jordan Beck flew out, three consecutive singles, a bases-loaded walk to Jake McCarthy — by which time St. Louis reliever Luis Gastelum had relieved Liberatore — and then a fifth single in the inning, from Connor Norby. Hunter Goodman hit a line drive for the second out, but then TJ Rumfield delivered a double to bring home Norby and cap the six-run outburst.

We've got something brewing over here 🧙‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/RBN6NsXr2S

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) September 6, 2026

The Cardinals fought back with a pair of runs in the sixth at the expense of reliever Zach Agnos before Brennan Bernardino put out the fire, retiring José Fermín and Ramón Urías to strand the the potential tying run at third base. That allowed Bernardino to earn credit for the win.

“‘Bernie’ has been huge all year. Tonight was no exception,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “What’s so impressive with that, too, is that you know they’re going to go right-right, and it doesn’t matter to Bernie. He can get right-handers out, too.”

The Rockies padded their lead when another four runs crossed in the seventh inning — and Rincon was on the mound, struggling once again. Entering late in the sixth inning for his just his second major-league appearance — the first one coming the previous night, which led to the cap kerfuffle — Rincon gave up two singles that sandwiched a walk and a hit batter. Each of the four batters who reached base at Rincon’s expense scored.

Still, St. Louis didn’t go gently, scoring twice in the ninth inning, forcing Schaeffer to turn to closer Jordan Romano, who took to the mound with one out and Iván Herrera on first base. Romano appeared to have struck out Jordan Walker for the final out, but the wild pitch sailed past Goodman, allowing Walker to advance to first base and bring the tying run to the plate.

One pitch, the fire was doused in right fielder Mickey Moniak’s glove, as he fielded Leo Bernal’s line drive to end proceedings, allowing Romano to bounce back from Friday night’s blown save.

Colorado improved to 55-87.

ROCKIES STARTER’S REPORT

Mason Adams’ first Coors Field start saw all three of the runs allowed come via the long ball. He stranded runners in three of the first four innings and allowed just one walk — but he did give up eight hits over 4 1/3 innings — including four in the fifth, when he was relieved by Agnos.

A strike from Jordan Beck to Goodman threw Thomas Saggese out at home plate, preventing the damage at Adams’ expense from being worse.

“I thought he was really good. I thought the poise was right there, just like it was on the road,” Schaeffer said.

” …A couple of good hitters got him there. But I thought he competed well and was efficient and did a nice job for us.”

The Rockies’ rally ensured that Adams had no decision.

BITS AND PIECES

IT WAS DECIDED FOR THE ROCKIES WHEN: Romano got Bernal to line out for the Cardinals’ 27th retirement.

NUMBER TO NOTE: 8 — Number of players in the starting lineup who recorded a hit, as the Rockies’ 11 hits were nicely scattered throughout the order. Cole Carrigg, Adael Amador and Ezequiel Tovar led the way with two hits apiece.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rockies go for the series and a winning homestand in Sunday afternoon’s matinee. Tanner Gordon starts for Colorado; Kyle Leahy gets the nod for St. Louis. First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. MDT.

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