Rockies 2, Cubs 0
CHICAGO --Tyler Chatwood's perfect game bid fell short but he still outdueled Cubs ace Jon Lester as the Colorado Rockies claimed a 2-0 victory and a series win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.
Nolan Arenado supplied both runs -- a fourth-inning solo homer and another in the ninth -- as the Rockies (7-5) won their fourth game in five starts and took two of three from the Cubs.
The Rockies right-hander (2-1) gave up two hits, struck out seven and walked one in a seven-inning effort in his third start of the season and only his third since April 29, 2014.
Chatwood didn't allow any base runners until Jorge Soler drew a walk with two out in the fifth. The no-hitter went away with the next batter as Javier Baez lined a single to left.
Chatwood departed for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning after throwing 100 pitches, 69 for strikes.
Rockies left hander Jake McGee faced five batters in a scoreless ninth for his third save in four appearances.
Lester (1-1) departed after 7 1/3 innings after giving up just one run on four hits, striking out 10 and walking just two.
The Cubs (9-3) suffered their second loss in three games and dropped their first series of the season.
Arenado gave Colorado the lead on a first-pitch home run to left off Lester. His fifth homer of the season landed in the outfield basket, just above a year-old rectangular video board.
His ninth inning solo homer came off reliever Justin Grimm for his seventh career multi-homer game.
NOTES: Rockies starters Jorge De La Rosa, Chad Bettis and Christian Bergman have combined to allow just five earned runs in 17 2/3 innings pitched for a 2.55 ERA. ... Sunday's game was played under sunny skies and temperatures approaching 70 degrees in Chicago. It would have been postponed in Denver where a late winter storm produced heavy snowfall. ... Rockies RHP Jordan Lyles (0-1, 11.25 ERA) goes against Reds RHP Alfredo Simon (0-1, 12.25 ERA) in Monday's series opener in Cincinnati. ... In a pre-game ceremony, Cubs 3B Kris Bryant accepted the Players Choice Award as 2015 NL Outstanding Rookie as voted by NL players. ... Bryant also marked his one-year anniversary of arriving in Chicago. He went 0-for-4 in his debut but had two hits and reached base five times in his next game. ... RHP John Lackey (2-0, 5.68 ERA) goes against Cardinals RHP Mike Leake (0-1, 6.97 ERA) on Monday as the Cubs open a three-game series in St. Louis on Monday.