COLORADO ROCKIES

A Hunter Goodman grand slam gives Rockies homestand-opening win

Sep 13, 2024, 9:08 PM | Updated: 9:12 pm

DENVER — Hunter Goodman needed an eruption.

Hitting just .200 since his most recent return to the Colorado Rockies lineup on Sept. 1, the 24-year-old exploded with a career night, clobbering a pair of home runs — including an eighth-inning grand slam to break a 5-5 deadlock — to power the Rockies past the Chicago Cubs 9-5 in front of 38,406 at Coors Field on Friday night.

The twin blasts were Goodman’s 10th and 11th of the season, which have come in just 183 at-bats spread over three separate stints. They also provided all but one run of what became a 7-RBI outburst, the Rockies’ first in two years, since catcher Elias Díaz on Sep. 9, 2022 against Arizona.

The game-deciding blast from Hunter Goodman was a no-doubter, a 413-foot shoot into the left-field stands that cleared the packed bases.

Goodman golfed a Nate Pearson slider over the fence for a home run that bailed Colorado’s bullpen out after it surrendered a 3-run lead in the top of the eighth inning, preventing starter Austin Gomber from getting the win despite allowing just 2 runs over 6 innings.

Colorado shortstop Ezquiel Tovar also had a home run, his 23rd of the season.

ROCKIES BULLPEN HAD AN OFF NIGHT

The Rockies bullpen, beleaguered for most of the season, came into the game bursting with promise that was starting to be realized. It delivered scoreless work in four of the Rockies’ previous five games, and during the recently-completed 9-game road trip compiled a 2.76 ERA and 1.261 WHIP.

Chicago’s Michael Busch ended that in the top of the eighth inning

With two on and no one out, Busch launched a Victor Vodnik slider 453 feet into the second level of the right-field stands, wiping out Colorado’s 3-run lead while also pouring an ice-water-filled bucket on Colorado’s bullpen, which returned home on the heels of its best sustained work of the season during the Rockies’ recent nine-game work trip.

Vodnik recovered by allowing no further damage, getting out of the inning with a 6-4-3 double play. That proved vital as Hunter Goodman and Colorado’s offense picked up the pieces in the bottom of the eighth. `

Colorado continues its homestand Saturday in what is expected to be the penultimate appearance of their City Connect uniforms at home.

Colorado Rockies

Charlie Condon was selected third overall by the Colorado Rockies during the 2024 MLB Draft...

Jake Shapiro

Experts say Rockies have just two of MLB’s top 100 prospects

It might be a long time before the Colorado Rockies pull themselves out of their rut if two separate MLB top 100 prospects lists are to be trusted

13 days ago

Colorado Rockies Owner Dick Monfort unveils an artwork for Charlie Blackmon at a ceremony honoring ...

Jake Shapiro

Rockies keep Charlie Blackmon around, hiring him for front office role

One of the best players in Rockies is staying with Colorado, Charlie Blackmon has been hired as special assistant to the general manager

16 days ago

The statue of 'The Player' is dusted with snow outside the stadium as Game 3 of the National League...

Jake Shapiro

Rockies fall in draft lottery, will likely miss out on Matt Holliday’s son

The Colorado Rockies fell in MLB's third-ever lottery for the league's 2025 Draft, and will pick at number four

2 months ago

Brendan Rodgers #7 of the Colorado Rockies turns the first half of a double play against Thairo Est...

Jake Shapiro

Rockies ink veteran to replace Rodgers at second base

The Rockies are taking a chance on a veteran second baseman in hopes of a rebound year to replace Brendan Rodgers

2 months ago

ULY 24: Kris Bryant #23 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated in the dugout by teammates after s...

Jake Shapiro

Bud Black says the obvious about Rockies slugger Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant’s time with the Rockies has been a disaster thus far but club manager Bud Black believes things could turn around in 2025

2 months ago

Kyle Farmer...

Andrew Mason

After not tendering Brendan Rodgers, Rockies add Kyle Farmer, per report

Kyle Farmer isn't a long-term solution, but as he arrives with the Rockies following the decision to not tender Brendan Rodgers, he could be a solid bridge.

3 months ago

A Hunter Goodman grand slam gives Rockies homestand-opening win