Brendan Rodgers and Ryan McMahon hit back-to-back home runs in a six-run seventh inning, and the Colorado Rockies held off the St. Louis Cardinals 8-6 on Thursday to secure their first series win since the All-Star break.
The Rockies overcame three more hits from Paul Goldschmidt, including his 27th home run, to improve to 7-14 since July 22.
Former Rockies slugger Nolan Arenado hit his 24th home run to extend his hitting streak to nine games, but struck out looking with two on in the ninth to end it for the Cardinals. They lost for the second time in three tries since winning seven straight.
Jordan Hicks (3-6) walked two with one out in the seventh and was relieved by Genesis Cabrera. Charlie Blackmon pulled a grounder through the right side to snap a 2-all tie and Jose Iglesias followed with an RBI single up the middle.
Rodgers then belted a first-pitch changeup an estimated 407 feet. The three-run homer made him 10 for 19 over his past four games.
“He kind of pulled a changeup and it cut on him a little,” Rodgers said. “It’s a big homer against a really good team. A good series win.”
McMahon’s solo shot to right ended the day for Cabrera, who threw just 13 pitches.
“Tough outing. Obviously goes in and can’t record an out,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “Just overall not like him.”
Goldschmidt, who improved his NL-leading batting average to .332, hit a two-run homer and Arenado followed with a solo shot in the eighth off Alex Colome. The Cardinals, who also got a solo home run from Nolan Gorman, saw their lead over Milwaukee in the NL Central sliced to a half-game ahead of their three-game series in St. Louis starting Friday.
Brian Serven added a two-run double and Lucas Gilbreath (1-0) pitched a perfect seventh for Colorado. Daniel Bard loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but got Goldschmidt to ground into an RBI forceout before getting Arenado with a slider on his 30th pitch for his 24th save in 26 chances.
Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson allowed four hits and four walks in five innings, while Rockies right-hander German Marquez worked around eight hits and struck out six. He got out of a jam in his sixth and final inning when he fanned Paul DeJong and Tyler O’Neil with runners on second and third.