Hunter Goodman delivered a pivotal two-run home run in the ninth inning, lifting the visiting Colorado Rockies to a 6-5 triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday afternoon. The clutch hit highlighted a hard-fought game that saw multiple lead changes and intense moments throughout the contest.
Key Contributions Spark Colorado’s Comeback
The Rockies rode strong offensive performances from Braxton Fulford, who drove in two runs, and Mickey Moniak, who went 2-for-5 including a solo homer. This win marked Colorado’s second consecutive after ending an eight-game losing streak, providing the team with renewed momentum.
Despite allowing five runs on nine hits over five innings, starter Austin Gomber kept his team competitive by striking out two and issuing just one walk. The relief corps held firm as Jimmy Herget (1-2) earned the win and Victor Vodnik secured his fourth save of the season.
Cardinals’ Efforts Fall Short in Close Contest
For the Cardinals, Alec Burleson’s two-run homer was a significant contribution in a tough loss that dropped them to two wins in their last six games against Colorado. Pedro Pages added two RBIs, while Lars Nootbaar’s homer and two runs scored kept St. Louis within striking distance.
Starting pitcher Michael McGreevy delivered six innings with seven hits allowed and three runs, striking out two without issuing any walks. JoJo Romero (4-4) took the loss after surrendering Goodman’s decisive homer late in the game.
Game Progression Marked by Lead Changes and Late Drama
The Cardinals opened the scoring in the second inning when Lars Nootbaar and Thomas Saggese singled with two outs, setting the stage for Pedro Pages’ two-run double. The Rockies responded with a run in the fourth on a string of singles from Tyler Freeman, Mickey Moniak, and Ezequiel Tovar, though Nootbaar’s homer in the bottom half pushed St. Louis back ahead, 3-1.
Colorado chipped away at the deficit in the fifth, as Kyle Karros reached base and eventually scored via Braxton Fulford’s groundout, narrowing the gap to 3-2. The Cardinals extended their lead to 5-2 later in the inning on a Masyn Winn single followed by Burleson’s homer.
Moniak’s sixth-inning homer brought the Rockies closer again at 5-3. The seventh inning saw Karros double, advance to third on a wild pitch, and score on Fulford’s sacrifice fly to make it 5-4. The game remained tightly contested until the ninth, when Karros walked and Goodman’s pinch-hit homer gave Colorado the 6-5 lead they would not relinquish.
Significance and Outlook for the Rockies Moving Forward
Goodman’s game-winning hit not only broke the deadlock but also underscored the Rockies’ resilience in overcoming recent struggles. Securing back-to-back victories after a long losing streak could serve as a turning point as Colorado looks to build consistency in a competitive season. Meanwhile, the Cardinals will reflect on missed opportunities but can take some confidence from their strong individual performances against a determined Rockies lineup.