Observations: Rockies power way to series win over Cubs

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The Rockies beat the Cubs 6-5 on Thursday behind four home runs, including two from Trevor Story, in Thursday's rubber match. The Cubs dropped to 52-58 this season.

Here are 10 observations from the game.

1. Jake Arrieta, making his second start since coming off the injured list last week, gave up nine hits and four earned runs in four innings, three coming on solo home runs.

2. Arrieta, who allowed two earned runs in four innings in his first start back last week, has an 8.28 ERA over his last 14 starts, dating back to April 30.

3. Willson Contreras made a pair of big throws to take potential Rockies runs off the board. He threw out Raimel Tapia on a stolen base attempt in the first inning — moments before Story hit a solo home run.

In the fourth, Contreras back-picked Yonathan Daza at third base, helping Arrieta work out of a jam. Colorado had runners on second and third with one out before the play, with a run already in.

4. Contreras was at the center of the Cubs’ two-out, four-run, game-tying rally in the fifth. His two-run double cut the deficit to 4-3, and he advanced to third on an errant throw to the plate. Ian Happ drove him in with a single one batter later.

5. A pair of Cubs called up from Triple-A Iowa immediately after the trade deadline helped start that rally. Johneshwy Fargas and Andrew Romine tallied singles and later scored.

6. The Rockies not moving Story was one of the biggest surprises at the trade deadline. He hit his second home run of the game in the fifth, a go-ahead two-run blast that made it 6-4.

7. The Cubs caught a tough break a half inning after Story's home run. With a run in and the tying run on first with no outs, Fargas’ bunt attempt bounced up and hit him while still in the batter’s box — by rule a foul ball.

The play, which is not reviewable, was ruled a fair ball and Fargas was called out. The inning ended soon after.

8. Rafael Ortega has taken advantage of increased playing time and continued his hot stretch with a 2-for-4 afternoon, extending his hitting streak to seven games. Ortega, who has been in the lineup every day the past few weeks, is slashing .317/.368/.524 in 53 games (137 plate appearances) this season.

9. Not only is Ortega red-hot, but he’s doing it out of the leadoff spot, long a revolving door for the Cubs. In 14 games batting first, Ortega is hitting .388 with a .423 on-base percentage.

10. The Cubs are 8-12 since the All-Star break and 2-4 since last Friday's trade deadline.

On deck: It’s Crosstown Classic weekend at Wrigley Field. First pitch Friday is 1:20 p.m. Kyle Hendricks (13-4, 3.71 ERA) and Lance Lynn (1-3, 2.07 ERA) are the Cubs and White Sox probable starters.

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