Rockies' Bullpen Meltdown Costs Them Against Cubs in 5-4 Loss

June 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA – The Chicago Cubs secured a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night, but the game was marred by a disappointing performance from the Rockies' bullpen, overshadowing a stellar evening from Cole Carrigg. The young Rockies player delivered a three-run homer in the eighth inning and contributed significantly to every run scored by his team, yet it was the relievers' struggles that ultimately sealed their fate.

Despite Carrigg's impressive outing, which included a bases-loaded walk earlier in the game, it was the Cubs who capitalized in the ninth inning. After taking a 4-2 lead, Colorado's bullpen faltered, walking three batters, including a decisive four-pitch walk issued by Seth Halvorsen to Matt Shaw that ended the game. Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer expressed his frustration, noting, “If you are going to walk eight guys in the bullpen, you aren’t going to win very many games.”

The bullpen's issues began in the sixth inning when Antonio Senzatela walked a batter, allowing the Cubs to score. The Rockies briefly regained the lead before the Cubs capitalized on Victor Vodnik’s control problems, cutting the lead to one run. The tension escalated in the ninth when Juan Mejia, after a solid performance earlier, struggled to find the strike zone, leading to a series of walks that set the stage for the Cubs' comeback.

Carrigg's performance continued to impress, showcasing his potential with solid hitting in his first seven games. Schaeffer praised the rookie, stating, “He’s been absolutely awesome... The kid’s first seven games, and he’s doing that already? That’s impressive.” Meanwhile, the Cubs celebrated Pete Crow-Armstrong's historic performance, as he completed a cycle, becoming the first player to achieve this feat at Wrigley Field since Mark Grace in 1993.

As the season progresses, the Rockies will need to address their bullpen issues if they hope to compete effectively, especially in high-pressure situations like this one against the Cubs.