Wayback Wednesday: Chicago Cubs 4, Colorado Rockies 3 (16)

Jul 29, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher J. Baker (12) scores the winning run against the Colorado Rockies during the sixteenth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

One year ago today at Wrigley Field, the Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs played a sixteen-inning game that deserves to be remembered forever.

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If you remember this Colorado Rockies game from one year ago today, that picture at the top of the post should probably bring back bad memories.

In the bottom of the sixteenth inning of a marathon affair tied 3-3, Cubs’ catcher John Baker (who had just thrown a scoreless inning as the last “pitcher” available in the top of the 16th) scored the winning run to end the misery for the Colorado Rockies and seal a crazy victory for the Chicago Cubs.

The game started normally enough — in fact, it started like most Rockies games do, with the club scoring three runs in the top of the first inning off Cubs’ starter Edwin Jackson, thanks to a 2-RBI double from Justin Morneau and another run-scoring double from Nolan Arenado.

To celebrate their three-run first inning, the Rockies would get shut out… the entire rest of the way. All fifteen innings’ worth of baseball. Nada.

Facing Jackson was Jorge De La Rosa, who did about what Jorge De La Rosa does, tossing six innings and allowing three runs, giving up six hits and a walk while striking out seven Cubs’ hitters. After the Cubs put up two runs in the fourth inning to tie the game at three runs apiece, neither team would end up scoring for twelve full innings.

As you might expect, they had their chances. The two teams combined for 28 men left on base, while going a combined 5-for-23 with runners in scoring position.

And then, in the sixteenth inning, all hell broke loose for the Rockies, when they finally had to break down and have next day’s starter Tyler Matzek enter the game to throw.

After tossing the top of the sixteenth, only because the Cubs had no relief pitchers left in their bullpen, backup catcher Baker found himself on third base with one out and two other runners on against Matzek when Starlin Castro lifted a fly ball to mid-depth right field. The rest, as they say, is history:

It’s tough to lose regardless of the situation, but after six hours and twenty-seven minutes (!!) at the ballpark, with nothing to show for your troubles?! Yikes.

Here’s to the Rockies having better luck on their Wednesday game in Chicago in a couple of hours.

BOX SCORE: July 29, 2014 — Chicago Cubs 4, Colorado Rockies 3 (Final/16)

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