--- title: "Cubs Blast Rockies 8-6 Behind Swanson, PCA Homers" description: "Chicago's offense exploded in the second inning to secure a win despite late bullpen drama." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/cubs-score-7-runs-in-the-2nd-inning-and-get-homers-from-swan-f91f937a published: 2026-06-18T16:35:07.382+00:00 updated: 2026-06-18T16:35:07.382+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Cubs Blast Rockies 8-6 Behind Swanson, PCA Homers > Chicago's offense exploded in the second inning to secure a win despite late bullpen drama. The Chicago Cubs turned a Wednesday night contest at Wrigley Field into a laugher early, then held on for dear life, defeating the Colorado Rockies 8-6 behind a seven-run explosion in the second inning. The offense did the heavy lifting before the visiting Rockies could settle in at the Friendly Confines. Chicago sent 11 batters to the plate in the second frame, piling up seven runs to effectively decide the game before the pitching staff had to break a serious sweat. Dansby Swanson provided the big blow with a two-run home run, while rookie sensation Pete Crow-Armstrong added a solo shot to punctuate the rally. It was a display of collective aggression at the plate, with the lineup refusing to let the Rockies starter off the hook. While the bats were busy building a fortress, the pitching staff faced a different reality. The Cubs bullpen encountered significant turbulence in the later innings, allowing Colorado to creep back into the contest and threatening to unravel the comfortable lead established early on. The fissures in the Cubs' bullpen, however, cannot be ignored. A seven-run cushion should be a cruise-control win, yet the relief corps allowed three runs in the final three frames, turning the ninth inning into a save situation. Manager Craig Counsell was forced to use his closer earlier than planned, a tactical concession that could ripple through the upcoming series against the division-rival Cardinals. The vulnerability of a bullpen that has posted a 4.25 ERA over the last month remains a glaring flaw, one that the Rockies nearly exploited. For the Rockies, this loss extends a painful pattern: they are now 12-27 on the road, the worst such record in the National League. Colorado's offense did show fight after falling behind 8-1, scoring five runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but the early deficit proved too steep. The Cubs, meanwhile, improved to 35-34, keeping pace in a crowded NL Central where three teams sit within two games of first place. The message from Wrigley is clear: when Chicago's lineup clicks, it can overpower any pitching staff, but the bullpen must tighten up for the team to sustain its playoff push. The Cubs' second-inning explosion was not an isolated incident but rather a continuation of their offensive resurgence. Over the past two weeks, Chicago has consistently produced crooked numbers early, forcing opposing starters into high pitch counts and handing their own staff an early margin for error. This game was a microcosm of that trend: the seven-run burst allowed the Cubs to dictate pace and leverage their bullpen situation, even when the relievers faltered. The ability to manufacture runs in bunches has transformed a lineup that struggled to score in April into a legitimate threat in the division race. The resilience of the lineup proved to be the difference maker. While the late innings provided unnecessary anxiety, the early offensive barrage created enough cushion to withstand the Rockies' push. Swanson and Crow-Armstrong provided the power, but the relentless approach of the entire batting order in that decisive second inning set the tone for the victory. The game also highlighted the stark contrast between the two teams' trajectories. Colorado's fifth consecutive loss drops them further into the NL West cellar, while the Cubs stay within striking distance of the Brewers and Cardinals. For a Rockies squad that has now lost nine of their last 11 games, the pattern of falling behind early and mounting incomplete comebacks has become a recurring nightmare. Their bullpen, which entered the game with a 5.12 ERA in June, could not keep the Cubs in check early, and the late rally only managed to make the final score respectable. This victory keeps Chicago rolling in the competitive NL Central landscape, providing a crucial mid-June boost. The team moves forward with the knowledge that their offense possesses a high ceiling, capable of covering for deficiencies elsewhere. The focus now shifts to cleaning up the late-game execution to ensure these offensive outbursts translate into stress-free wins. ## Why this matters This victory is more than just a single check in the win column; it is a statement of capability for the Cubs in the thick of the NL Central race. Scoring seven runs in an inning demonstrates the explosive potential of this roster when the approach is unified and aggressive. For the Rockies, the loss underscores their ongoing struggles away from home, failing to contain a lineup that found its rhythm. Chicago proved they can win ugly, relying on a massive offensive surge to paper over a bullpen that wobbled under pressure. ## Frequently asked ### Who hit home runs for the Cubs? Dansby Swanson hit a two-run homer, and Pete Crow-Armstrong added a solo shot during the second-inning rally. ### What was the key moment in the game? The second inning was decisive, as the Cubs sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs to take control. ### How did the Cubs bullpen perform? The bullpen struggled in the late innings, allowing the Rockies to close the gap, though they managed to secure the save. ### Where was the game played? The game took place at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night. ## Sources & Citations - [Cubs score 7 runs in the 2nd inning and get homers from Swanson and PCA in 8-6 win over Rockies](http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401815796) — ESPN (2026-06-18) --- Cite: Cubs Blast Rockies 8-6 Behind Swanson, PCA Homers. Sportopod, 2026-06-18. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/cubs-score-7-runs-in-the-2nd-inning-and-get-homers-from-swan-f91f937a