Fan-tastic finish
Soriano saves the day after Cubs blow 5-run lead in the ninth
The sky fell in on the Cubs in the ninth Monday -- then just as quickly erupted with fireworks of joy for the biggest Cubs turnaround victory of the year.
The last of a string of heroes in their improbable 10-9 victory over the Colorado Rockies was Alfonso Soriano, named National League player of the week hours earlier -- but the bigger player of the game despite an 0-for-5 night until the ninth.
The last of a string of heroes in their improbable 10-9 victory over the Colorado Rockies was Alfonso Soriano, named National League player of the week hours earlier -- but the bigger player of the game despite an 0-for-5 night until the ninth.
With two outs and the bases loaded, he came through with the hit that mattered, singling to right center field to tally the tying and winning runs for what could become the signature win of the season.
(Tom Cruze/Sun-Times)
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With two outs and the bases loaded, he came through with the hit that mattered, singling to right center field to tally the tying and winning runs for what could become the signature win of the season.
''Clutch, just clutch,'' manager Lou Piniella said when it was over, his depleted relief corps giving away an 8-3 lead in the ninth, the biggest blow a three-run homer by Troy Tulowitzki that gave the Rockies a 9-8 lead -- and caused a crazed fan to run onto the field from first base at pitcher Bob Howry.
''He said, 'What are you doing?''' a calm Howry said later. ''I said, 'I'm trying to get a win, what do you think?'''
Howry got the win (4-4), with the ''save'' going to the security guards who tackled and removed the fan, who got within inches of Howry on the mound.
''I really didn't want to use Howry,'' Piniella said, his substitute closer for ailing Ryan Dempster, who worked the last two games against the White Sox.
''We got the win and that's what matters,'' said Howry, who was trying to salvage the inning after Scott Eyre, pitching his second inning of relief after a five-day layoff, couldn't retire the first three batters.
How the Cubs won their fourth straight might matter most in the long run.
''I was 0-for-5, so thank god I got a hit to win the game,'' said Soriano, who was surrounded by his ecstatic teammates at home plate in the end.
''I wouldn't bet [on] him going 0-for-6,'' said Koyie Hill, who delivered a key pinch-hit single in the come-back ninth. ''Soriano did what he came here to do -- win games.''
With Rockies closer Brian Fuentes (0-2) -- he of 20 saves -- on the mound, Mark DeRosa led off with his third hit of the night. ''When your leadoff man gets on, you always have a chance,'' Piniella said.
Felix Pie ran for DeRosa. Angel Pagan struck out and Rob Bowen forced Pie at second. Hill singled, with Jacque Jones coming in to run for Bowen at second. Ryan Theriot hit a chopper up the middle that seemed destined to end the game.
But second baseman Kaz Matsui mishandled it -- his first error of the season.
That brought Soriano to the plate.
''You see two-run rallies in the bottom of the ninth,'' Piniella said, ''but not too many after you've given up six in the top of the inning.
''We had this in hand and it got away from us, but these kids are playing,'' he said. ''It was a great win. Give our guys all the credit in the world.''
Long before the ninth, the stars of the 18-hit offense included Mike Fontenot, who had a 5-for-5 night --matching Soriano as the only Cub this year to do so.
''It wouldn't have been as good if we had lost,'' he admitted.
The victory was their 14th so far in June, their most in the month since 2004 (14-13).