Cubs Win After Giving Up 5-Run Lead In 9th Inning

Alfonso Soriano gave Chicago a perfect ending to a ninth inning that already featured a blown five-run lead and a fan charging at Cubs closer Bobby Howry. <br/><br/>Soriano&#39;s two-run single in the

Tuesday, June 26th 2007, 7:25 am

By: News On 6


Alfonso Soriano gave Chicago a perfect ending to a ninth inning that already featured a blown five-run lead and a fan charging at Cubs closer Bobby Howry.

Soriano's two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Cubs a 10-9 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night, setting off a wild celebration after Chicago's bullpen blew a five-run lead in the top of the inning.

``Just when you think you've seen about everything, you haven't seen everything,'' Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.

The Rockies trailed 8-3 going into the ninth. After Todd Helton doubled in a run with none out off reliever Scott Eyre, Bobby Howry (4-4) was greeted by consecutive RBI singles from Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe. Troy Tulowitzki followed with a three-run shot to put the Rockies ahead 9-8.

After Tulowitzki's homer, a fan jumped onto the field from the roof of the Rockies' dugout and charged at Howry _ the Cubs' closer while Ryan Dempster is unavailable because of a strained oblique muscle. The fan was just a few feet from the mound when security guards tackled him.

``As soon as I turned around the guy clotheslined him and took him down,'' said Howry, who hardly moved as the fan charged his way. ``He said, 'What are you doing?' I'm trying to give up home runs, what do you think?''

The scene was eerily similar to when a fan attacked Cubs closer Randy Myers in September 1995.

``I don't think he was too threatening,'' Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. ``It is scary because you don't know.''

Howry then got three outs, and the drama was just beginning.

The Cubs came back against Rockies closer Brian Fuentes (0-2). Mark DeRosa led off the ninth with a single. With two outs, pinch-hitter Koyie Hill singled and Ryan Theriot reached on an error by second baseman Kaz Matsui.

With the bases loaded, Soriano hit a two-run single, scoring pinch-runner Jacque Jones and Hill.

``A great win. You couldn't have scripted it any better. Clutch,'' Piniella said.

Said Soriano: ``This was my best moment with Chicago so far.''

In other NL games Monday, it was: Atlanta 4, Washington 1; New York 2, St. Louis 1 in 11 innings; Milwaukee 6, Houston 1; Los Angeles 8, Arizona 1; and San Francisco 4, San Diego 3 in 11 innings.

After the game, the Rockies were still stunned.

``It was a weird one, to say the least,'' Helton said. ``You have to give them credit. They didn't give up. Give us credit, we didn't give up. Just one of those nights.''

Rookie Mike Fontenot went 5-for-5 with two RBIs, and Angel Pagan hit a three-run homer for the Cubs.

Derrek Lee added three hits and DeRosa drove in three runs for the Cubs, who were coming off a weekend sweep of the White Sox.

The Rockies have lost four straight after winning 20 of 27.

``You have to move on. It's not going to get any better thinking about it,'' Fuentes said.

Braves 4, Nationals 1

Brian McCann's run-scoring single gave host Atlanta its first lead in a week, and he added a three-run homer to lift the Braves over Washington.

McCann's second four-RBI game of the season helped Tim Hudson (7-5) win for the first time since May 30. Bob Wickman got three outs for his 13th save in 16 chances.

Mets 2, Cardinals 1, 11 innings

Shawn Green hit a leadoff home run in the 11th inning and New York beat St. Louis in the Cardinals' first visit to Shea Stadium since winning Game 7 of the NL championship series last October.

The Mets won their fourth in a row despite getting only three hits.

Green connected for his seventh homer, sending a full-count pitch from Russ Springer (3-1) off the scoreboard in right-center field. It was the Mets' first hit since Carlos Gomez homered in the third inning.

Brewers 6, Astros 1

Ben Sheets (9-3) won his fifth consecutive decision and Prince Fielder hit his NL-leading 27th homer for Milwaukee.

The NL Central-leading Brewers have won 10 of 12 since being no-hit by the Tigers' Justin Verlander on June 12. The Astros, on the last leg of a nine-game road trip, have lost five of their last seven. Jason Jennings (1-2) took the loss.

Giants 4, Padres 3, 11 innings

Barry Bonds scored the winning run from second base on Pedro Feliz's single for host San Francisco.

Bonds lined a single to right for his lone hit of the night, then Feliz delivered the fourth game-ending hit of his career two batters later.

Vinnie Chulk (3-2) pitched a perfect inning for the victory.

Fans jumped to their feet and chanted ``Barry! Barry!'' before he singled in the 11th off Justin Hampson (2-2), who made a nice play to throw out Ray Durham at third on Ryan Klesko's bunt following Bonds' single.

Dodgers 8, Diamondbacks 1

Brad Penny earned his 10th win for visiting Los Angeles.

He allowed one run and four hits in eight innings and improved to 7-2 against Arizona. Penny (10-1) lowered his NL-leading ERA to 2.04. Micah Owings (5-2) took the loss.
logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

June 26th, 2007

March 14th, 2024

December 4th, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Top Headlines

March 29th, 2024

March 29th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024