The Chicago Cubs lost Thursday's series finale to the Colorado Rockies, 7-5, resulting in the three-game sweep for the home team at Coors Field in Denver, Colo.
The Rockies jumped on Cubs starting pitcher Chris Volstad, who is now 3-11 on the season, early and often. Volstad allowed three runs in the first inning on a Jordan Pacheco home run, then gave up two more in the second by surrendering a two-run shot to former Cub DJ LeMahieu. The Cubs got runs back in the second and third on a Brett Jackson RBI single and an Anthony Rizzo solo homer, but the Rockies struck again for two more in the third, spelling the end of Volstad's day.
Chicago's bullpen pitched well, as three relievers combined to toss five shutout innings, while allowing the Rockies to get just two hits. However, the damage had long been done by that point, even though the Cubs fought back by scoring two runs in the ninth while threatening for more.
With the loss, the Cubs inched closer to claiming the No. 2 pick in next year's draft. They may get some help finishing the job, as they'll travel to Phoenix to face the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-game series starting on Friday.