Jhoulys Chacin continued the Rockies' early pitching success, picking up his third win of the season in the team's 5-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs. For nine innings, Chacin dominated the Cubs in the club's best pitching performance of the season to date. Using 114 pitches, Chacin held the Cubbies to six hits and struck out seven of them. In the second and fourth innings, he allowed two singles each time, but a double play erased the first opportunity and the second ended on a fly out. In the bottom of the ninth, he walked Carlos Pena, but induced Alfonso Soriano into a game-ending double play.
This was the first complete game shutout at Coors Field since Aaron Cook accomplished it on July 1, 2008 against the San Diego Padres.
For all intents and purposes, this game was over in the second inning when Chris Iannetta smacked a bases-loaded triple to center field and scored on the play following a throwing error by Starlin Castro. The play started with back-to-back singles by Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton to start the inning, Seth Smith drew a walk before Jose Lopez struck out swinging with the bases loaded. And then with one out, Iannetta unloaded the biggest hit of the night. Todd Helton added and RBI single in the fifth inning.
First base umpire Jerry Layne was hit in the left foot on a line drive by Carlos Pena in the second inning and left the game early, forcing a three-man umpiring crew.
The Rockies (11-2, 1st NL West) and the Cubs continue the series on Saturday night at 6:10 p.m. MT. Jason Hammel faces Casey Coleman.