CHICAGO -- The San Francisco Giants showcased their offensive might in an unforgettable extra inning on Tuesday night, scoring a staggering nine runs in the 11th inning to defeat the Chicago Cubs 14-5 at Wrigley Field. This remarkable performance not only marked the highest-scoring extra inning at Wrigley Field but also set a new record for the most runs ever allowed by the Cubs in extra innings, according to team historian Ed Hartig.
Despite a promising start, the Giants found themselves in a tight spot after the Cubs rallied with two runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 5-5. The Cubs, known for their resilience, demonstrated their fighting spirit as they clawed back from a 5-3 deficit. Pete Crow-Armstrong initiated the rally with a walk after an intense eight-pitch at-bat against Giants closer Ryan Walker. Following a strikeout of Dansby Swanson, pinch-hitter Carson Kelly drew a walk, setting the stage for Justin Turner, who delivered an RBI single to shrink the deficit to 5-4. Kyle Tucker then stepped up, hitting a hard grounder back up the middle to bring home the tying run, sending the game into extra innings.
The Giants’ offense, however, was far from finished. In the top of the 11th, they launched a relentless assault on Cubs reliever Ryan Pressly, who exited the game without recording an out. The inning began with a double from Heliot Ramos, followed by Patrick Bailey’s go-ahead single that gave the Giants a 6-5 lead. From there, the floodgates opened. A squeeze play executed by Brett Wisely allowed Ramos to score, extending the lead to 7-5. Willy Adames was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Jung Hoo Lee drove in another run with a single, and Matt Chapman added two more runs with a single of his own. Wilmer Flores capped off the inning with an RBI single, bringing the total to nine runs.
Manager Craig Counsell had to pull Pressly after the Giants sent 12 batters to the plate in the 11th, with the crowd at Wrigley Field witnessing a record-setting offensive display. This outburst was not only the most runs scored in an extra inning since the Angels did so in the 13th inning on August 16, 2009, but also the highest-scoring extra inning at Wrigley Field, surpassing the previous record of seven runs set by the New York Giants back in 1921.
"Look, the score doesn't make it look like a good baseball game. It was a good baseball game. The 11th was not a good inning for us. We made a nice comeback, did some good things, then we had shots to win it," Counsell commented after the game.
Starting pitcher Colin Rea had a tough outing for the Cubs, allowing four earned runs on eight hits over five innings. After a stellar start to the season, this performance marked his first real struggle. The Cubs had initially fallen behind 5-3 before their ninth-inning rally, with Miguel Amaya hitting a two-run homer in the third inning to bring the Cubs back into contention.
Despite the loss, the Cubs' defense showcased some impressive plays, particularly from Crow-Armstrong, who made a leaping catch at the wall to rob Mike Yastrzemski of extra bases and another sliding grab to take a hit away from Jung Hoo Lee.
Giants starter Justin Verlander, who signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the team in January, pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out three. However, he walked away with yet another no-decision, extending his winless streak to eight consecutive starts, the longest of his illustrious 20-year career.
As the Giants celebrated their comeback victory, they were reminded of the challenges that lie ahead. The series finale is set for Wednesday afternoon, with Cubs pitcher Ben Brown scheduled to face lefty Robbie Ray, as both teams look to secure a crucial win in this tightly contested series.
With the Giants improving their record to 23-14 and showcasing their offensive depth, they look poised to make a significant impact as the season progresses. Meanwhile, the Cubs will need to regroup quickly, as they aim to bounce back from this disappointing loss and continue their pursuit of a strong season in the NL Central.
