Hunter Goodman homers twice, including late tiebreaking slam, and Rockies beat the Cubs 9-5

DENVER (AP) — Hunter Goodman hit two home runs, including a tiebreaking grand slam in the eighth inning, and the Colorado Rockies came back to beat the Chicago Cubs 9-5 on Friday night.

Goodman, a rookie catcher and outfielder who is part of the Rockies' ongoing youth movement, finished with three hits and a career-high seven RBIs. It was the first seven-RBI game by a Rockies player since Elías Díaz also had seven on Sept. 9, 2022 against Arizona.

“They’re wanting to make a statement, letting us know that they’re major league players, and a night like this from Goodie helps his cause,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “He has power. Showed up in the minor leagues and he has 11 (homers) here and 150 or so at-bats. He’s doing his thing. So, you know, good for Hunter.”

Ezequiel Tovar hit his 23rd home run of the season and Brendan Rodgers added a run-scoring double for the Rockies, who snapped a six-game losing streak to the Cubs. With the loss, Chicago fell six games behind the Mets for the third NL wild card.

Michael Busch had three hits for the Cubs, including a three-run home run off Victor Vodnik (4-3) in the top of the eighth that pulled Chicago into a 5-5 tie. Isaac Paredes also had three hits.

Ryan McMahon singled off reliever Drew Smyly (3-7) to start the bottom of the eighth. Rodgers walked and Michael Toglia singled to load the bases. Nate Pearson relieved Smyly before Goodman connected for his second career multihomer game and first career slam.

“There was some frustration after that (top of the eighth) inning because they put some good swings on pitches and we ended up giving up the lead,” Goodman said. “But everybody rallied together. We had a great offensive night, not just from me. We had a lot of big hits from some of the other guys right there in order for me to hit the grand slam. It was just a great night overall.”

Austin Gomber, reinstated from a three-day stay on the paternity list after he and his wife Rachel welcomed the arrival of their third child, went six innings and allowed two runs on nine hits.

The Cubs got to Gomber for two first inning runs on Cody Bellinger’s one-out single that scored Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson.

But the Rockies came back to take the lead with a three-run second inning off Chicago starter Javier Assad that featured Rodgers’ RBI double and Goodman’s two-run drive that soared 430 feet into the left-field bleachers. Colorado added a run in the fourth on Goodman’s RBI single.

Tovar homered in the bottom of the seventh to put Colorado up 5-2.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rockies: OF Kris Bryant’s recovery from a back strain has slowed to the point his return this season is unlikely, manager Bud Black said. Bryant was placed on the 10-day injured list Aug. 12 after a recurrence of back problems. He had two earlier stints on the injured list this season because of a low back strain and a left rib contusion. “He’s not real close” to returning, Black said. “It’s increasingly possible Kris’ season will be over.” Bryant has missed 104 of the Rockies’ 148 games this season due to injuries.

UP NEXT

Chicago RHP Jameson Taillon (10-8, 3.57 ERA) is scheduled to start Saturday night against Colorado LHP Kyle Freeland (5-7, 4.97 ERA).

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Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman, front right, is congratulated by Jake Cave, left, after their victory over the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Hunter Goodman, right, is congratulated as he returns to the dugout after hitting a grand slam off Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Nate Pearson in the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon, right, congratulates catcher Hunter Goodman after the Rockies victory over the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Chicago Cubs' Cody Bellinger, left, congratulates Michael Busch (29) who crosses home plate after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Victor Vodnik in the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, left, and second baseman Nico Hoerner lean on the dugout rail in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar, left, hugs Hunter Goodman (15) who returns to the dugout after hitting a grand slam off Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Nate Pearson in the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Hunter Goodman gestures as he crosses home plate after hitting a grand slam off Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Nate Pearson in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Hunter Goodman follows the flight of his grand slam off Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Nate Pearson in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé renewed his quest to win a European title by scoring for Real Madrid in his first Champions League match with the club.

Mbappé found the open net after a cross by Rodrygo just seconds into the second half of Madrid's 3-1 win over Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

“It was a great night,” Mbappé said. “It was a tough match, as they always are in the Champions League, but it was important to start with the win at home.”

Mbappé celebrated with a gesture in which he appeared to blow candles and sending a kiss. Spanish media said it was to honor his mother's 50th birthday.

The goal gave defending champion Madrid a 1-0 lead before Stuttgart equalized with Deniz Undav in the 68th. Antonio Rüdiger put Madrid back in front in the 83rd and substitute Endrick closed the scoring deep into stoppage time to seal the victory for the defending champions.

It was Mbappé's 49th Champions League goal, putting him in the top 10 of top scorers all time in the competition.

He has scored in three consecutive matches and has five goals in seven games with Madrid so far in all competitions.

“I can do more,” Mbappé said. “I'm feeling better match after match.”

Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was named the man of the match as he was key to keep Stuttgart from capitalizing on its many scoring opportunities.

Mbappé had been mostly quiet until scoring, with one of his clearest chances coming in the 25th minute after he entered the area and had his low shot was saved. He was free inside the area a couple of minutes later, but Federico Valverde’s low cross to the France star was intercepted by a defender.

Madrid struggled to created many significant scoring opportunities early on at the Bernabeu. It was Stuttgart that threatened the most, including with a couple on one-on-one situations and an attempt that hit the crossbar.

Vinícius Júnior also hit the crossbar for Madrid.

Mbappé won the 2018 World Cup with France but failed to win the Champions League in the seven seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, which was also on a quest for its first title in Europe’s top club competition.

The playmaker left PSG as a free agent at the end of last season to join Madrid following a decade-long pursuit by the Spanish powerhouse — a move could boost his chances of lifting the European trophy with the team that has won the Champions League six times in the last 11 years.

Mbappé reached the semifinals of the club competition in 2017 with Monaco, and was a beaten finalist in 2020 with PSG. He was also in the semifinals with PSG in 2021 and last season.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and VfB Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Real Madrid won 3-1. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and VfB Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and VfB Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, right, celebrates with teammate Antonio Rudiger after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and VfB Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and VfB Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)