In a thrilling back-and-forth contest, the Colorado Rockies overcame a late deficit to defeat the New York Yankees 8-7 in 11 innings on Sunday, securing a series victory. Nolan Jones ignited the Rockies' comeback with a game-tying two-run homer in the 11th, followed by Alan Trejo's walk-off blast to seal the win.
The Rockies, struggling at the bottom of the National League, found themselves trailing 3-1 heading into the eighth inning. However, C.J. Cron's grand slam off Clay Holmes, Holmes' first surrendered home run of the season, dramatically shifted the momentum. The Yankees managed to tie the game in the ninth thanks to a run-scoring infield single from Gleyber Torres and a sacrifice fly by Harrison Bader, sending the game into extra innings.
The Yankees briefly regained the lead in the top of the 11th with RBI singles from Oswaldo Cabrera and recently recalled Oswald Peraza. But Jones's powerful 450-foot home run off a fastball, scoring Cron, quickly erased the Yankees' advantage. Trejo then stepped up and delivered the decisive blow, launching his first home run of the season off Ron Marinaccio to secure the Rockies' victory.
The Yankees' loss marks their sixth in eight games, further jeopardizing their standing in the AL East. The team has struggled since Aaron Judge's toe injury in early June. Despite Gerrit Cole's impressive 11-strikeout performance, the Yankees' offense couldn't maintain the lead. Anthony Rizzo's continued home run drought further compounded the team's offensive woes.
Cole's dominant pitching performance, which included surpassing Ron Guidry for the Yankees' record for double-digit strikeout games, provided a bright spot for the team. However, the Yankees' inability to capitalize on opportunities and their bullpen struggles ultimately cost them the game and the series.
The Yankees now head to Los Angeles to face the Angels, while the Rockies prepare for a two-game series against the Houston Astros.
