Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/29/25): Cubs 11, Rockies 7 – Swanson’s Huge Night Keys W
The Cubs and Rockies got their series underway in the thin air of Coors Field on Friday night. It was a typical wild contest in the Mile High City with Chicago securing the win thanks to a big effort from their shortstop.
Dansby Swanson began what would be a huge night with a two-run homer off of Germán Márquez in the top of the 2nd. Ian Happ hit a solo shot to put the North Siders ahead 3-0 in the top of the 4th.
Colorado got within one when Yanquiel Fernández took Cubs starter Cade Horton deep for a two-run dinger in the bottom of the frame. Chicago broke the game open against Márquez with six runs in the top of the 5th inning, beginning with a sacrifice fly by Pete Crow-Armstrong and an automatic double by Happ.
Jaden Hill took over in relief of Márquez with the bases loaded and one out, and Swanson jumped on the first pitch to clear the bases with a triple. Matt Shaw followed with a single to score the shortstop and make it a 9-2 game.
Swanson hit his second homer of the night in the 7th inning and Michael Busch clubbed another one later in the frame to bring the margin to 11-3. The Rockies scored a pair of runs in both the 7th and the 8th, but Chicago managed to hang on and bring home an 11-7 victory. (Box score)
Key Moment
Colorado got the first two runners on against reliever Andrew Kittredge to begin the bottom of the 9th trailing 11-7. Warming Bernabel hit a ground ball to Shaw at third, who stepped on the base and fired to first for a double play that short-circuited the rally.
Why the Cubs Won
The hitters took advantage of the friendly conditions at Coors Field and slugged their way to a win.
Stats That Matter
- Horton did a decent job in an environment that isn’t easy for pitchers: 5 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 4 K, 2 BB.
- Massive night for Swanson with three extra-base hits and six RBIs.
- Happ had three hits and two RBIs.
- Seiya Suzuki reached three times, which was a nice sign.
Bottom Line
At least for one night, the offense got a major boost from the Rockies’ terrible pitching. This is a lineup that needs multiple hitters to heat up, and Swanson has the kind of power to carry a team if he gets going. Horton continues to impress, and manager Craig Counsell is doing a good job of strategically pulling him from games early to save bullets for a potential postseason start.
On Deck
Game two of the series is Saturday night at 7:10pm CT. Javier Assad gets the start against McCade Brown in a matchup broadcast on Marquee with a radio feed on 670 The Score.
