Mickey Moniak's near-cycle and Michael Toglia's homer lead the Rockies to a 6-4 win over the White Sox on July 7, 2025, avoiding a crucial series sweep.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a season defined by struggles, the Colorado Rockies gave their fans a genuine reason to cheer on Sunday. They didn't just win; they fought back. Powered by a near-cycle performance from the scorching-hot Mickey Moniak and a go-ahead blast from Michael Toglia, the Rockies topped the Chicago White Sox 6-4, showcasing the kind of offensive spark and bullpen grit that has been desperately missing.
Mickey Moniak has now smashed eight home runs in the past month, providing a rare and thrilling bright spot in the Rockies' struggling offense.
Let's be honest, the series against the Chicago White Sox was billed as a battle for the basement, and for two games, it looked bleak. But on Sunday, the Rockies played with purpose to avoid the sweep. Moniak set the tone immediately with a leadoff homer, and after the game was tied 4-4, Michael Toglia delivered the decisive blow with a two-run homer in the fifth. The 6-4 victory improved the Rockies to 21-69, a small but significant win that also prevented them from tying the modern record for most losses in the first 90 games of a season.
If there's one player who is must-see TV for the Rockies right now, it's Mickey Moniak. He continued his torrid stretch, falling just a double short of hitting for the cycle. His leadoff homer was his 13th of the season, and his two-run triple was a critical part of the offense. With eight home runs in the last month alone, Moniak is not just having a good week; he's putting together a career-defining stretch and providing a consistent threat in an otherwise anemic lineup.
The win wasn't just about the long ball. It was sealed by a new generation of arms. Zach Agnos earned his first big-league win with 1 1/3 innings of solid relief, and Seth Halvorsen, with his triple-digit fastball, locked down his eighth save with a scoreless ninth. Their success is a direct result of a farm system that is finally starting to bear fruit. With prospects like Chase Dollander and Adael Amador knocking on the door and others like Ryan Ritter and Kyle Karros impressing in the minors, the performances of Agnos and Halvorsen feel less like a fluke and more like the start of a much-needed youth movement.
One win, especially against the only other team with a worse record, doesn't erase a 21-69 season. But it provides a blueprint. Enjoy the victory, but now the real test begins: a road trip starting in Boston. Lefty Austin Gomber (0-1, 5.49 ERA) gets the ball on Monday, still searching for his first win. The challenge is immense, but with young players like Moniak, Agnos, and Halvorsen providing sparks, there's at least a flicker of hope for the future to watch for on the road.
