Colton Cowser saves Orioles with incredible catch to preserve 2-1 victory over Rockies

DENVER (AP) — Colton Cowser made a spectacular leaping catch above the center-field fence for the final out, robbing Jake McCarthy of a game-winning homer and preserving the Baltimore Orioles' 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.

With a runner on second base and two outs in the ninth inning, McCarthy sent a drive to deep center. Cowser raced back and jumped, spreading his legs wide as he banged into the wall and pulled back the ball in his outstretched glove from well above and behind the fence to the right of the 415-foot sign.

After hanging on as he crash-landed onto the warning track, Cowser pumped his arms and shouted in excitement before celebrating with teammates.

Cade Povich pitched five solid innings and Cowser drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh following a 98-minute rain delay at Coors Field.

Baltimore (69-69) has won four straight and six of seven to reach .500 for the first time since taking the first game of a doubleheader against Houston 10-3 on April 30. The surging Orioles moved within a half-game of idle Cleveland in the crowded chase for the last American League wild card.

The Rockies have lost five in a row overall and a franchise-record 10 straight at home, the longest home losing streak in the majors this season.

Play was paused between the fifth and sixth due to heavy rain and lightning.

Blaze Alexander walked to load the bases with one out in the seventh before Cowser grounded into a fielder’s choice that gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead. Cowser was initially ruled out at first base for an inning-ending double play, but the call was challenged by the Orioles and overturned.

Grant Wolfram (6-2) pitched two scoreless innings in relief for the win. Andrew Kittredge earned his ninth save.

Povich allowed five hits and one run.

Following the rain delay, Mark Manfredi (1-1) replaced Rockies starter Tanner Gordon, who allowed one run in five innings. Manfredi walked three and gave up one run in 1 1/3 innings.

Dylan Beavers hit a leadoff double in the Baltimore fifth and scored two pitches later when Samuel Basallo hit a towering double off the wall in right-center.

Hunter Goodman doubled leading off the fourth for Colorado and scored on a two-out single by Jordan Beck to make it 1-0.

Orioles RHP Kyle Bradish (7-12, 4.03 ERA) starts Tuesday opposite Rockies RHP Gabriel Hughes (0-6, 6.61).

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Colorado Rockies' Jake McCarthy follows the flight of his fly out to end a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Colton Cowser, left, yells as right fielder Leody Taveras looks on after Cowser robbed Colorado Rockies' Jake McCarthy of a two-run, walkoff home run to end the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Colton Cowser, center, celebrates with first baseman Pete Alonso, left, and right fielder Leody Taveras after defeating the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Andrew Kittredge, left, congratulates center fielder Colton Cowser after the Orioles defeated the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso, left, celebrates with center fielder Colton Cowser after defeating the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Colton Cowser is congratulated by teammates after the Orioles' victory over the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

PROVO, Utah (AP) — A Utah judge will decide Tuesday if there's enough evidence to put the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk on trial for aggravated murder, which would make him eligible for the death penalty.

The hearing in state court comes after prosecutors in July spent five days presenting what they said was “overwhelming” evidence that Tyler Robinson killed the conservative activist while he was speaking at an open-air event on a college campus.

The 23-year-old defendant turned himself in a day after the shooting at Utah Valley University last September. He has not yet entered a plea, and his lawyers have not offered alternative theories for Kirk’s death. They've focused instead on blocking the case from proceeding to trial and trying to get the death penalty taken off the table.

District Judge Tony Graf has the option to send the case to trial on a lesser charge of murder, which carries a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison, said Steve Burton, director of the Utah Defense Attorney Association. Graf could also dismiss the charges against Robinson, in which case prosecutors could refile them.

A key factor in charging aggravated murder is whether the shooting endangered others.

Attorneys will present final arguments Tuesday — closing out an unusually long preliminary — and Graf plans to announce his decision from the bench, state courts spokesperson Tania Mashburn said.

Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, and parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, were expected back in the Provo courtroom after attending in July.

Arguments will likely focus on whether Utah County prosecutors have enough evidence to support the heightened charge of aggravated murder.

In recent court filings, defense attorneys argued that the shooter “hit the intended target” and did not endanger others. But prosecutors said numerous people were within a “zone of danger” around Kirk when he was shot from a rooftop more than 400 feet (122 meters) away.

Robinson also faces potential sentencing enhancements if prosecutors can show he targeted Kirk for his political beliefs.

Before his death, Kirk and the organization he co-founded, Turning Point USA, galvanized the conservative youth vote to help President Donald Trump win a second term.

Prosecutors have argued that an engraved bullet found in the suspected murder weapon shows that Kirk was targeted for how the defendant perceived his politics. The inscription “Hey Facist! CATCH!” is an “overt political reference,” they argued in court documents.

A handwritten note that prosecutors allege Robinson left for his romantic partner read in part, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.” They also allege Robinson wrote in a text message about Kirk: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”

Robinson’s attorneys have argued that prosecutors do not have strong enough evidence to prove a political motivation.

In July, investigators presented DNA analyses that they said linked Robinson to the suspected murder weapon — a bolt-action rifle with one spent round — and a tool he allegedly used to engrave the bullet cartridges.

Robinson's reported romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, told investigators in a recorded interview that Robinson said the day after Kirk was killed that “he wishes he hadn’t done it.” Later that same day — and only about an hour before turning himself in — Robinson posted “it was me at UVU yesterday” in an online chat room, according to investigators.

Defense attorneys challenged the reliability of DNA tests and unsuccessfully fought against the public release of the Twiggs interview, warning prosecutors would characterize it as a confession. Twiggs said in the interview that he never heard Robinson talk about Kirk before the shooting.

Brown reported from Billings, Montana.

FILE - Charlie Kirk's parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, arrive at the Fourth District Courthouse for a hearing for Tyler Robinson, who is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, July 6, 2026, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Marielle Scott, File)

FILE - An image of a bullet casing engraved with the words, "Hey Fascist!" is displayed during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, who is accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, at the Fourth District Courthouse in Provo, Utah, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps, Pool, File)

FILE - Erika Kirk leaves the Fourth District Courthouse, July 6, 2026, in Provo, Utah, after a hearing for Tyler Robinson, who is accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. (AP Photo/Marielle Scott, File)

FILE - A photo of Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, stands at his vigil on Sept. 11, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

FILE - Tyler Robinson, who is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, sits beside defense attorney Kathryn Nester during a hearing in 4th District Court in Provo, Utah, on Jan. 16, 2026. (Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, File)