Rockies Beat Cubs; Walker Ties Record

DENVER — The Chicago Cubs’ resurgence lost some steam at Coors Field and the Colorado Rockies powered their way to an 11-5 victory Wednesday night.

The Cubs, who started the season 0-14, had won four of their previous five games before being confronted by Larry Walker and the Rockies.

Walker homered, giving him 11 for April, which ties the National League record. He’s batting .456.

“I am seeing the ball well. I am reacting to all pitches,” Walker said.

Cub Manager Jim Riggleman said, “He is unpitchable.”

Andres Galarraga hit his eighth grand slam, and Vinny Castilla also homered for the Rockies, who led, 11-0, after six innings.

The Cubs are 0-3 against Colorado this season.

Walker’s 11 homers in April give him a share of the NL record held by Willie Stargell (1971), Mike Schmidt (1976) and Gary Sheffield and Barry Bonds, both of whom did it last year. The major league record is 13, by Ken Griffey Jr. this season.

Galarraga passed Tony Armas as the most prolific major league power hitter from Venezuela with his 252nd lifetime homer. His fifth homer of the year was a grand slam off Ramon Tatis in a seven-run sixth inning.

Walker and Castilla each drove in three runs for Colorado. The Rockies had hit two homers in the last four games.

Kevin Ritz (3-3) pitched 7 1/3 innings, giving up a two-run homer to Scott Servais and a solo shot by Mark Grace.

Kevin Foster (2-2) held the Rockies hitless until Walker led off the fourth inning with a 421-foot drive into the center-field seats.

Walker added a two-run single in the fifth for a 4-0 lead.

The Rockies chased Foster with three consecutive hits in the sixth. Dante Bichette blooped a single, Castilla hit his ninth homer and Kirt Manwaring doubled.

Before the game, Cub third baseman Kevin Orie was scratched from the lineup because of stiffness in his right shoulder.