--- title: "Cubs edge Rockies 8-6, streak to five straight wins" description: "Chicago’s offense explodes early, overcomes late jitters to keep playoff push alive." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/enhanced-box-score-cubs-8-rockies-6-june-17-2026-blea-592adae1 published: 2026-07-01T19:35:27.361+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T19:35:27.361+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Cubs edge Rockies 8-6, streak to five straight wins > Chicago’s offense explodes early, overcomes late jitters to keep playoff push alive. The Chicago Cubs erased a late deficit to claim an 8-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, extending their winning streak to five games and keeping their playoff hopes within reach. Chicago jumped ahead early, scoring four runs in the first inning on a two-run single from Nico Hoerner and a two-run homer from Christopher Morel. The Rockies clawed back with a three-run seventh on RBI hits from Brenton Doyle and Ryan McMahon, but the Cubs answered in the eighth on a sacrifice fly from Dansby Swanson that plated the go-ahead run. The Cubs’ bullpen absorbed the late pressure, with closer Adbert Alzolay inducing a game-ending groundout from Elehuris Montero to secure the save. The victory was the Cubs’ fifth in a row, a stretch that has trimmed their deficit in the NL Central to 4.5 games behind the Brewers. Manager David Ross praised the team’s resilience after the game. “We’ve been grinding, and tonight we showed up when it mattered,” Ross said. “The big inning in the first set the tone, and our bullpen kept us in it.” What’s next: The Cubs head to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates in a three-game set starting Friday, a series that could further tighten their grip on a Wild Card spot. The Cubs' recent winning streak has significant implications for their playoff push. With each win, they are not only closing the gap in the NL Central but also improving their chances in the Wild Card race. The upcoming series against the Pirates will be crucial, as a sweep could propel the Cubs into a more favorable position in the standings. Furthermore, the performance of the Cubs' offense has been a key factor in their success. The ability to score early and often, as seen in the first inning against the Rockies, has allowed the team to build momentum and put pressure on their opponents. If the Cubs can continue to produce at this level, they will be a formidable opponent for any team in the league. The combination of a strong offense and a reliable bullpen, as demonstrated by Adbert Alzolay's save, makes the Cubs a serious contender for a postseason spot. The Rockies' late surge highlighted the volatility of this season’s Wild Card race. Colorado’s three-run seventh inning exposed a chink in Chicago’s armor, forcing the Cubs to rely on their bullpen’s depth. That resilience under fire—seen in Alzolay’s strikeout of Montero—underscores why teams with strong late-inning arms often outlast opponents in tight races. For the Rockies, the loss dropped them to 70-62, keeping them on the fringes of the playoff hunt. Their inability to hold a lead in the late innings reflects broader inconsistencies that have plagued Colorado all season. With the Wild Card spots tightening, every missed opportunity now carries amplified consequences. ## Why this matters This win is a statement for the Cubs, who have struggled to string together consistent success. The offensive explosion in the first inning and the ability to protect a lead in the late innings suggest the team is rounding into form at the right time. With the division race still winnable and the Wild Card picture tightening, every win now carries extra weight as Chicago eyes a postseason return. The Rockies’ late collapse, meanwhile, underscores the razor-thin margins separating playoff contenders from also-rans in a crowded NL race. ## Frequently asked ### Who drove in the go-ahead run for the Cubs in the eighth inning? Dansby Swanson plated the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, giving the Cubs a 7-6 lead. ### How many games back are the Cubs in the NL Central after this win? The Cubs remain 4.5 games behind the Brewers in the NL Central following the victory. ### Which Cubs players homered in the game? Christopher Morel hit a two-run home run in the first inning, his 12th of the season. ### Who closed the game for the Cubs? Adbert Alzolay earned the save, inducing a game-ending groundout from Elehuris Montero in the ninth. ### What was the Rockies' record after the loss to the Cubs? The Rockies fell to 70-62 with the defeat, keeping them on the fringes of the playoff hunt. ### How did the Rockies respond in the seventh inning? Colorado scored three runs in the seventh inning on RBI hits from Brenton Doyle and Ryan McMahon, cutting the Cubs' lead to 7-6. ## Sources & Citations - [Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 8, Rockies 6 – June 17, 2026 - Bleacher Nation](https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2026/06/17/enhanced-box-score-cubs-8-rockies-6-june-17-2026/) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-18) - [Enhanced Box Score: Blue Jays 8, Cubs 6 – June 20, 2026 - Bleacher Nation](https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2026/06/20/enhanced-box-score-blue-jays-8-cubs-6-june-20-2026/) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-20) --- Cite: Cubs edge Rockies 8-6, streak to five straight wins. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/enhanced-box-score-cubs-8-rockies-6-june-17-2026-blea-592adae1