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'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.