AP | AP
DENVER — Rookie Peter Lambert went five strong innings and baffled Chicago for a second time in five days as the Colorado Rockies won their 10th straight at home by beating the Cubs 10-3 on Tuesday night.
Lambert (2-0) allowed one run and three hits in his Coors Field debut. The right-hander made his first major league start last Thursday at Wrigley Field and earned his first win when he pitched seven innings of one-run ball.
Daniel Murphy led the Rockies offense with three hits, including a two-run double in the first. Charlie Blackmon added a three-run homer as part of a five-run sixth to break open the game.
Lambert mixed in several offspeed pitches with a four-seam fastball to bottle up the Cubs. Lambert’s only mistake was a fastball that Jason Heyward lined to left for a solo homer in the second.
The 22-year-old Lambert left his mark on the field, too — in the form of a giant divot. He sprinted off the mound on a pop foul in the fourth and dove for the ball near the first-base dugout. In the process, Lambert’s left knee dug deep into the turf. He momentarily limped around before taking a few warmup tosses with a noticeable grass stain on his white pants.
His 83rd and final pitch of the night was a fastball that struck out Anthony Rizzo before turning it over to the bullpen.
Chicago lefty Jose Quintana (4-6) allowed four runs, three earned, over 4 2/3 innings. He also took the loss in Lambert’s debut.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cubs: Reliever Craig Kimbrel threw a second bullpen session Monday in Arizona and will toss batting practice later in the week. The right-hander is steadily working his way back into form after recently finalizing a three-year contract with Chicago.
Rockies: LHP Tyler Anderson underwent surgery on his left knee Tuesday in Chicago.
THIS & THAT
Cubs 3B Kris Bryant was hit twice by Lambert. … Murphy was thrown out twice on the bases. … Colorado’s 10th straight home win is the team’s longest at Coors Field in one season since 11 in a row in 1996. … LHP Phillip Diehl made his major league debut in the ninth and allowed two runs.
UP NEXT
Cubs lefty Cole Hamels (5-2, 3.24 ERA) will start the series finale Wednesday. The Rockies will throw right-hander Antonio Senzatela (5-4, 4.95).
