6/25 COL@CHC, 7:05 p.m.; TV: CSC; Radio: WGN

[VanMan]

After a three-game sweep of the cross-town rival White Sox and a 4-2 road trip overall, the Chicago Cubs open a six-game home stand with the opening game of the three-game set with the Colorado Rockies. The Rox, currently in 4th place in the NL West, are coming off being swept by the Toronto Blue Jays, including Sunday's near no-hitter by Dustin McGowan, on the heels of sweeping the Yankees in Coors.

http://www.mlb.com/images/players/action/ph_433585.jpg
Jeff Francis (7-5, 3.44 ERA) will toe the rubber for the visitors from Denver in tonight's game. He's won his last five decisions and is 6-1 with a 1.86 ERA in his last seven starts.

http://www.mlb.com/images/players/action/ph_150302.jpg
Jason Marquis is throwing for the Cubs. After an outstanding start to the season, Marquis has hit a losing streak, and is currently 5-4 with a 3.38 ERA.

The starting line-ups for tonight's game:

Colorado Rockies (38-37, 4th in NL West, 5 1/2 GB)
1. Willy Taveras, CF (.311, 2 HR, 17 RBI)
2. Kazuo Matsui, 2B (.308, 2 HR, 18 RBI)
3. Matt Holliday, LF (.355, 13 HR, 59 RBI)
4. Todd Helton, 1B (.326, 6 HR, 38 RBI)
5. Garrett Atkins, 3B (.243, 8 HR, 37 RBI)
6. Brad Haupe, RF (.291, 13 HR, 51 RBI)
7. Troy Tulowitzki, SS (.274, 6 HR, 32 RBI)
8. Yoruit Torrealba, C (.234, 3 HR, 21 RBI)
9. Jeff Francis, P (.130, 0 HR, 0 RBI)

Chicago Cubs (35-39, 2nd in NL Central, 7 1/2 GB)
1. Alfonso Soriano, LF (.310, 15 HR, 28 RBI)
2. Mike Fontenot, 2B (.345, 2 HR, 9 RBI)
3. Derek Lee, 1B (.346, 6 HR, 39 RBI)
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B (.300, 14 HR, 41 RBI)
5. Mark DeRosa, RF (.266, 6 HR, 33 RBI)
6. Angel Pagan, CF (.292, 2 HR, 8 RBI)
7. Rob Bowen, C (.253, 2 HR, 12 RBI)
8. Cesar Izturis, SS (.251, 0 HR, 8 RBI)
9. Jason Marquis, P (.176, 1 HR, 4 RBI)

[VanMan]

Wind will be blowing from right to left tonight at 11 mph with the gametime temperature at 80 degrees.

[VanMan]

Taveras takes a strike, and the game's underway. Another two-seamer over for strike two. Fastball up and in for ball one. Sinker is swung and missed, that's out number one.

[VanMan]

Matsui grounds to Ramirez. He takes a few steps before throwing and not getting Matsui, infield single.

[VanMan]

On an 0-1 to Holliday, Matsui steals second.

[VanMan]

On a 2-2 pitch, Holliday lines a single to right-center, Matsui rounds third to score the game's first run, Rox up 1-0.

[VanMan]

Helton runs the count to 3-1, after taking the first pitch for a strike. Holliday runs, but the pitch is outside for ball four. Runners on first and second, one out.

[VanMan]

Atkins grounds to Ramirez on the first pitch, throws to Fontenot for one, turn to Lee is picked out of the dirt for the double play. But the Rox get one run on two hits, a walk and one left.

Middle 1st, Rockies 1, Cubs coming up

[VanMan]

Soriano takes the first pitch on the outside corner for a strike. He then pops the next pitch to shallow right. Matsui is there for the catch and the first out.

[VanMan]

Fontenot takes a fastball outside corner, strike one. He then fouls one off, 0-2. Slider misses low and away, 1-2. Grounder through Francis' legs, Matsui cuts it off before it gets to the outfield. He hurries a throw, but air mails it to the front of the Rockies' dugout. Font's on with a single.

[VanMan]

Lee takes a breaking ball low. He swings and misses a fastball low and away, 1-1. Fontenot is picked off first. He tries to run to second, but Helton throws it to Matsui, who applies the tag.

[VanMan]

The 1-1 to Lee is a called strike on the outside corner. Line drive from Lee buzzes Francis' tower into center field for a single.

[VanMan]

Ramirez golfs a low breaker into the left-field side stands, foul. Breaker is low again, this time ball one. Fastball is driven toward right, but slices foul, 1-2 to Ramirez. Sharp grounder through the hole into left field, Ramirez is on with a single, Lee goes to second with two out.

[VanMan]

DeRosa takes a curve for strike one. Breaking ball misses away, 1-1. DeRosa his the 1-1 foul back. Eighty-six mile-per-hour fastball is up and in, 2-2. Pop foul back into the stands. Curve ball, 71 mph, low to fill the count. Runners will be moving. Ground ball through the hole, Lee around third, he'll score on DeRosa's RBI single, Ramirez to second. It's tied at one.

[VanMan]

Pagan takes a pitch outside for ball one. He hits a fly ball, left field, Holliday will watch it sail into the bleachers for a three-run homer, Cubs are now up 4-1!

[VanMan]

Bowen takes a strike. Fastball away, 1-1. Change up dips below Bowen's bat, strike two. Fastball is down the middle for a called strike three, but the Cubs have scored four times, three on Pagan's homer, with five hits and no one left.

End 1st, Cubs 4, Rockies 1

Just think if Font wasn't picked off.

[VanMan]

CSN was showing the replay of yesterday's "play" during the first two pitches to Hawpe, and then he grounds to Marquis, who flips to Lee for the first out.

[VanMan]

Tulowitzki takes a called strike on the inside, then takes a ball high and away, fouls one off, then takes one up and in. He grounds to Izturis, who boots a bad hop, and will be charged with an error.

[VanMan]

Torrealba takes a curve for a strike. He grounds through the hole to right field for a single. Tulowitzki advances to second.

[VanMan]

Francis attempts a bunt, but pushes it foul down the third-base line. A fastball up and away is offered at but missed, 0-2 to Francis. Francis then bunts another foul ball to the left, and that's a strike out.

[VanMan]

Taveras takes a curve for a strike, but Bowen comes out due to a cross-up. Fastball, grounded to Ramirez, he fields it fair, and steps on third to force out Tulowitzki for the third out. No runs, a hit, an error and two left.

Middle 2nd, Cubs 4, Rockies 1

[VanMan]

Izturis takes the pitch outside, ball one. Fastball catches the corner, 1-1. Cued off the end of the bat foul, 1-2. Izturis swings and misses a breaking ball, one out.

[VanMan]

Marquis takes a fastball away, ball one. Breaking pitch misses away, ball two. Fastball down Michigan Ave., 2-1. Line drive to Tulowitzki, caught for the second out.

[VanMan]

Soriano takes a fastball low and away, ball one. Grounder to third, Atkins throws over to Helton to retire the side. Nothing doing for the Cubs.

End 2nd, Cubs 4, Rockies 1

[VanMan]

Matsui takes a strike. He fouls off the next pitch, 0-2. Kaz swings and misses, third K for Marquis.

[VanMan]

Holliday fouls the first pitch off to the right. Pop foul behind the plate and well out of play, 0-2. High fastball, check swing, umpire ruled a foul tip for strike three.

[VanMan]

Helton takes a ball. Fastball up and away, 2-0. Two-seamer is over for strike one. Foul to the left, 2-2. Fly ball, left field, Soriano is back pedalling to the track and makes the catch. Three up, three down for the Rockies.

Middle 3rd, Cubs 4, Rockies 1

[VanMan]

Fontenot takes a breaking ball low. Fastball is popped into foul ground into the seats, 1-1. Fastball misses away, ball two. Fastball inside, swung at and missed, 2-2. Fastball low and away, full count. Grounder to Atkins, gets up, throws to Helton, NOT IN TIME! Font's on with a single.

[VanMan]

Lee hits a chopper to Tolwitzki, he has one play, but he only lollipops it to Helton not in time! Another infield hit and runners on first and second.

[VanMan]

Ramirez takes a fastball away, ball one. Big swing but a foul back, 1-1. Francis twirls and looks Fontenot back to second. Fastball catches the inside corner, strike two. Another bluff to second, Font's back. Ramirez asks for time. Grounder to Tolowitzki, flip to Matsui to force Lee, the pivot is not in time, Ramirez is safe at first, Font at third.

[VanMan]

DeRosa takes a fastball wide, ball one. Off-speed pitch catches the corner, 1-1. Fastball inside, 2-1. Chopper to Atkins, no play at second, throw to Helton to retire DeRosa, but Fontenot scores to make the score 5-1. Ramirez advances to second.

[VanMan]

Pagan, who had a three-run HR last time, takes a ball away. Breaking ball away, it's 2-0. Pop fly to short center, Tolowitzki makes the catch to retire the side. One run scored on two hits, one left on base.

End 3rd, Cubs 5, Rockies 1

[VanMan]

AFLAC question:
Who's the first Rockie to win a major post-season award, and what did he win?

[VanMan]

Atkins takes a first-pitch strike, takes a breaker low and away, then another one for a strike. Grounder to Ramirez, across the diamond to Lee for the out.

[VanMan]

Hawpe swings and misses. Fouled back and out of play, 0-2. Two-seamer misses low and in, 1-2. Grounder foul past first. Fastball high, 2-2. Next pitch is high and away, full count. Off-speed is outside, ball four.

[VanMan]

Tulowitzki swings and misses, strike one. Two-seamer inside, 1-1. Foul out of play. Grounder foul past third, still 1-2. Grounder, off Marquis' bare hand, to Izturis, no play at second, over to Lee to get him at first. Hawpe advances to second, and Mark O'Neil is out to check on Marquis.

[VanMan]

Torrealba takes a fastball low. Fastball tails over for strike one. Another one tails back over the plate for strike two. Fastball tails inside, hits Torrealba's elbow. Check to the first-base umpire for a swing, no swing, runners on first and second, two out.

[VanMan]

Breaking ball to Francis is over for a strike. Fastball away, 1-1. Another pitch low, 2-1. Grounder to Ramirez, he takes it and steps on third to force Hawpe and end the inning. No runs, no hits, a walk and a hit batter, two left.

Middle 4th, Cubs 5, Rockies 1

[VanMan]

AFLAC Answer:
Don Baylor for Manager of the Year in 1995.

[VanMan]

Bowen takes the first pitch low and away. Foul past third, 1-1. Fastball over the knees on the inside corner, 1-2. Curve low, check swing, appeal to first, no swing, 2-2. Fastball catches the knees on the outside corner, called strike three, Bowen asking Kulpa to make sure his pitcher gets it.

Meanwhile, Izturis takes the first pitch to right field for a single.

[VanMan]

Marquis fouls one back to the screen on a bunt attempt. Another bunt attempt foul down the third base side, 0-2. Fastball high, bunt is off, 1-2. Marquis swings and misses on a breaker, second out.

[VanMan]

Soriano waits as Francis throws to Helton to keep Izturis back at first. One hopper to Tulowitzki, flip to Matsui to force Izturis to retire the side. No runs, a hit, one left.

End 4th, Cubs 5, Rockies 1

[VanMan]

Taveras tries to bunt for a hit, back up the middle, fielded by Marquis, throw to Lee gets him by a half step.

[VanMan]

Matsui takes inside, ball one. Next pitch is a strike called. Breaking pitch is over for strike two. Half swing, full strike out. Two gone.

[VanMan]

Holliday fouls one into the right-field-side stands. Fly ball, right-center, Pagan is there to retire the side. Seven pitches for the Rockies to go down 1-2-3.

Middle 5th, Cubs 5, Rockies 1

[VanMan]

Fontenot takes a curve for a strike. Slow flat pitch low, 1-1. Sinker is swung and missed, 1-2. Fastball away, 2-2. Line drive down the left-field line, it lands fair and smacks up against the side wall. Fontenot is on safely for the third time, this time on a double.

[VanMan]

Lee takes a pitch on the outside corner for a strike. Fastball inside, 1-1. Ground ball under Tulowitzki's glove into left. Fontenot, breaking for third all the way, stays there, Cubs have runners on the corners with no one out for Ramirez.

[VanMan]

Ramirez fouls the first pitch back into the stands. Jam shot, pop up to shallow right, Matsui is there for the out.

[VanMan]

DeRosa waits as Francis checks on Lee. Off-speed pitch catches the corner for strike one. Fastball misses inside, 1-1. Grounder to Tulowitzki, over to Matsui for one, the pivot is not in time. An RBI fielder's choice scores Fontenot. It's 6-1.

[VanMan]

Pagan swings and misses a curve. Fastball is low, 1-1. Francis throws to Helton to keep DeRosa close. Fastball inside, 2-1. Fastball catches the outside corner, 2-2. Pick off move to first, DeRosa back without a play. Curve hits the dirt, full count, and DeRosa will be off on the next pitch. Fastball is away, ball four.

[VanMan]

Bowen takes a curve away, ball one. Pulled foul, 1-1. Fastball low and in, 2-1. Fastball away, 3-1. Big swing and a miss, it's full, and both runners will move with the pitch. Fastball is low, ball four, sacks are stinking drunk with Cubs and Bob Appodaca is out to chat with the Rockies starter.

[VanMan]

Izturis with the sacks packed takes a fastball away, ball one. Bounced over the mound, Matsui takes it, and steps on the bag to force Bowen. Side retired, but the Cubs add a run on two hits, two walks and the sacks were loaded.

End 5th, Cubs 6, Rockies 1

[VanMan]

Helton takes a strike on the first pitch. Change-up is low, 1-1. Helton fouls one off to the left, 1-2. Fly ball to left, Soriano jumps on the warning track and makes the catch.

[VanMan]

Atkins takes two breaking pitches, one away, one low, for a 2-0 count. Fastball is inside, 3-0. Fastball is down Michigan Ave., strike one. Another fastball, it's full. Foul ball out of play on the right side. Line drive up the middle for a one-out single, it's the Rockies' first hit since the second inning.

[VanMan]

Hawpe fouls one to the screen. Curve in the dirt, Bowen blocks it. Aces are wild. Ground ball off the mound, Fontenot smothers it, can't get it out of his glove, tries to shovel it to Izturis, but it's late. Everyone's safe.

[VanMan]

Tulowitzki breaks his bat, flies to Soriano for the second out.

[VanMan]

Torrealba takes a sinker for a strike. Same pitch, but low, 1-1. Marquis pulls the string on the sinker again, and this time Torrealba swings and misses, 1-2. High fastball is singled to left. Atkins rounds third and holds, respecting Soriano's arm.

[VanMan]

Ryan Spielborghs will pinch hit for Francis with the bases loaded. First pitch is low. Check swing, grounder, foul past first, 1-1. Flare to right, DeRosa cuts it off in the corner, two runs score, and the Rockies cut it to 6-3. That'll be it for Marquis, as Wuertz will come in to pitch and Theriot will be in the back-end of the double-switch to play shortstop and lead off the next inning in the ninth spot.

[VanMan]

Taveras takes a slider for a strike. Late swing on a 90mph fastball and fouls it off, 0-2. Bowen stands up for a high fastball and gets it there, but it was high and not chased. Grounder to short, Theriot throws to his LSU mate Fontenot for the force. The Rockies get two on four hits, two left.

Middle 6th, Cubs 6, Rockies 3

[VanMan]

Spillboughs stays in the game to play center field. Tom Martin is in to relieve Francis. Theriot takes a strike, then grounds one into the hole, Tulowitzki gets the ball, but cannot throw out Theriot for the infield single.

[VanMan]

Soriano has a big cut but fouls the first pitch off. Balk called by Kulpa, saying Martin didn't stop before coming to the plate. Theriot goes to second on the call.

[VanMan]

0-1 to Soriano, grounder to Tulowitzki, throw to Helton to get Soriano. Theriot advances to third.

[VanMan]

Fontenot takes a curve low and away, ball one. Infield is in. Fastball catches the inside corner, 1-1. Curve is over for strike two. Basehit up the middle, Theriot scores, Fontenot is 4-for-4! Cubs now lead 7-3.

[VanMan]

Lee waits as Martin keeps Fontenot close. Curve catches the corner for a strike. Fastball is inside, 1-1. Fastball catches the knees, strike two. Move to first, Font's back. Pop fly, Matsui is under it for the second out.

[VanMan]

Ramirez waits as Martin makes another move to first, Font back. Liner to Atkins, knocked down, thrown across the diamond to get Ramirez. But the Cubs score again on two hits, there was a balk and one left.

End 6th, Cubs 7, Rockies 3

[VanMan]

Matsui lines the first pitch right at Ramirez, who makes a great catch for the first out. He was drawn in to protect against a bunt, then goes up the ladder for the leathered larceny.

[VanMan]

Holliday takes the first pitch for a strike, then the 0-1 goes in the dirt. Fastball high, 2-1. Scott Eyre is up in the pen. Grounder to Ramirez, across to Lee for the second out.

[VanMan]

Helton takes the first pitch high and away, ball one. Foul ball back and out of play, 1-1. Change up, check swing, appeal to third, he went, 1-2. Slider misses away, 2-2. Fastball fouled off. Change up fouled to the screen. Another foul ball over the Cubs dugout, scatters the crowd. Off-speed in the dirt, full count. Fastball tails high and away, ball four.

[VanMan]

Atkins takes a change for a strike. Fastball away, 93 mph, but misses for ball one. Slider misses away, 2-1. Fastball just missed low and away, 3-1. Fastball misses well low and away, ball four.

[VanMan]

Lou's going to make the pitching change, Eyre coming in to face the lefty Hawpe.

[VanMan]

Hawpe takes a slider low. Fastball low and away, 2-0. Fastball catches the outside corner, 2-1. Another fastball on the outer half of the plate at the knees, 2-2. Crowd's on its feet. Slider in the dirt, full count, both runners will go on the pitch. Fastball, swung on and missed! No runs, two walks, two left. Now, it's stretch time with Denis Savard and Blackhawk first-round pick Patrick Kane.

Middle 7th, Cubs 7, Rockies 3

[VanMan]

DeRosa takes a curve for a strike. Fouled back and out of play, 0-2. Slider is low, check swing, no swing, 1-2. Fastball high, 2-2. Curve is low and away, full count. Grounder up the middle, Matsui can't get it, it's a single for DeRosa.

[VanMan]

Pagan takes a slider for a strike. Another breaking ball for a strike, 0-2. Slider is low and in, checked swing, ball one. Slider low, 2-2. Grounder to Tulowizki, over to Matsui for one, the pivot is not in time.

[VanMan]

Bowen waits as Martin makes a quick move to first, Pagan back. Pagan running, but Bowen rips a line drive down the left field line..... foul! Fastball on the outside corner, 0-2. Fastball high, ball one. Throw to first, Pagan's back. Another pick off move, Pagan slides in. Slider is low, 2-2. Another slider misses outside, full count. Eyre is on deck and will hit. Pick off move to first, Pagan back without a play. Bouncer to third, Atkins looks at second, takes his time, throws to first... just in time. Pagan moves to second with Eyre up.

[VanMan]

Eyre takes the first pitch outside, ball one. Grounder to Helton, he takes it to the bag for the final out. No runs, a hit, one left.

End 7th, Cubs 7, Rockies 3

[VanMan]

Paid attendance, 40,269.

[VanMan]

Tulowitzki takes a slider low and in, ball one. Fastball over for a strike. Fly to center, he misjudged it initially, tries to jump, but the ball glances off his glove. Tulowitzki cruises in to second with a double.

[VanMan]

Torrealba takes the first pitch outside for ball one. He swings and misses a 93mph heater, 1-1. Fastball away, 2-1. Slider down, 3-1. Pop fly, but it finds the seats near first base, full count. Fastball up and away, ball four, runners on first and second with no one out.

[VanMan]

Spilborghs up and Carlos Marmol gets up in the Cub pen. Grounder to Theriot, flip to Fontenot for one, turn to Lee is just in time for two. Tulowitzki advances to third with two out.

[VanMan]

Jeff Baker, the only Rockie to get a hit on McGowen in Toronto yesterday, will pinch hit for Martin. Slider down, ball one. Foul back to the screen, 1-1. Slider in the dirt, blocked by Bowen, Tulowitzki holds at third, 2-1. Foul to the right and out of play, 2-2. Slider in the dirt, swing and miss, Bowen throws down to Lee to record the out. No runs, a hit, a walk and one man left.

Middle 8th, Cubs 7, Rockies 3

[VanMan]

Jorge Julio on to pitch for the Rockies to Theroit. First pitch tails inside, ball one. Theriot fouls the next pitch off, 1-1. He tomahawks a liner over Tulowitzki, the ball rolls all the way into the left-center field gap, and Theriot is in for a double. He must've found himself a slumpbuster recently. :D

[VanMan]

Soriano takes a fastball for a strike. Fastball, 97 mph, high for ball one. Change up is swung and missed, 1-2. Swing and a miss on a slider, Theriot was running on the play, he advances to third on a stolen base.

[VanMan]

Fontenot, 4-for-4 so far, takes a fastball that got away from Julio and Torrealba had to get way out of his croutch to get. He shoots one down the left-field line, Theriot scores, Fontenot makes into second, he's 5-for-5!

[VanMan]

Lee swings and misses a change up, strike one. Foul ball to the right side, 0-2. Julio steps off. Slider goes just 50 feet, ball one. Slider misses low and away, blocked by Torrealba for a second time, 2-2. Fly ball, right field, Hawpe catches the ball, Fontenot holds at second, two out.

[VanMan]

Ramirez grounds the first pitch to third, Atkins goes deep behind the bag, the throw to Helton is just in time, and Helton keeps his toe on the pillow to retire Ramirez and the side. The Cubs score one more on two hits, one left.

End 8th, Cubs 8, Rockies 3

[VanMan]

Eyre will try to finish the game and get the save, as he came in with the tying run on deck in the 7th. His first pitch to Matsui is over for a strike. Curve is low, 1-1. Milwaukee beat Houston, 6-1. Slider outside, 2-1. Matsui swings and misses, it's 2-2. Fastball fouled back. Mets beat the Cards in 11, 2-1. Matsui singles to left.

[VanMan]

Holliday takes a fastball out of the zone, ball one. Slider is low, ball two. Bowen grabs a new ball and chats with Eyre. Lou decides to join the conversation, as Howry gets up in the pen. The 2-0 to Holliday is a fastball on the outside corner for strike one. Slider low, 3-1. Fastball misses outside, ball four, fans getting restless.

[VanMan]

Helton takes a slider just over the knees for strike one. Slider misses away, 1-1. Sinking fastball misses low, 2-1. Fly ball slices into the corner fair off the side wall, it's a double. Matsui scores, Holliday advances to third. Lou comes out to take the ball from Eyre and bring in Howry. Since the on-deck batter would be the tying run, this is a save situation for Howry.

[VanMan]

Atkins will be the first to face Howry. First pitch is low, ball one. Line drive, base hit to left, Holliday scores, Helton to third, still no one out and the tying run comes to the plate.

[VanMan]

Hawpe hits a smash grounder past Lee on the first pitch, Helton scores to make it 8-6.

[VanMan]

Tulowitzki just took the first pitch over the left-center field stands for a go-ahead home run! Six runs in the ninth inning, and it's 9-8!

[VanMan]

Torrealba takes the first pitch for a strike, and then a fan rushes after Howry. Security tackles him and takes him away to be arrested by the Chicago Police.

[VanMan]

With a 0-1 count to Torrealba, Howry throws an off-speed pitch low. Foul ball off Bowen's mask. Slider away, 2-2. DeRosa, Pagan, Bowen due in the bottom of the 9th. Smash foul past third. Fastball fouled off to the right. Broken bat grounder to Theriot, over to Lee for the out, and the crowd gives a cheer.

[VanMan]

Fastball away to Spilboughs. Swing and a miss on a slider, 1-1. Brian Fuentes is ready for the Rockies. Foul ball to the right. Fastball upstairs, 2-2. Fouled off the end of the bat. Bouncer to Theriot, over to Lee for the second out.

[VanMan]

Cory Sullivan will pinch hit for Julio. Fastball catches the corner for strike one. Another fastball taken for strike two. Swing and a miss, strike three, but the Rockies bat around, nine to the plate, six runs on five hits, a walk and no one left.

Middle 9th, Rockies 9, Cubs 8

It's still possible. Just need to get some hits strung together and salvage this game.

[VanMan]

Sullivan stays to play center field. Fuentes in to close. He's only given up just more than .200 opp BA. DeRosa leading off, 2-for-4. Swing and a miss, strike one. Fouled off, 0-2. Fastball his high, 1-2. Change up low, 2-2. Blooper off the end of the bat, gets down in front of Sullivan, DeRosa's on with the tying run with a single.

[VanMan]

Pagan, who had a three-run homer in the first, comes up. He takes time before the first pitch. Fastball, awkward cut, strike one. Pinch runner coming in, Felix Pie for DeRosa. Fastball blew by Pagan, swung and missed, 0-2. Bowen next. Fuentes steps off and calls time. Fastball high, 1-2. Fastball swung on and missed, one out.

[VanMan]

Bowen waits as Fuentes checks on Pie. Koyie Hill comes out on the on deck circle. Check swing chopper to Helton, over to Tulowitzki for one, but no return throw. Bowen replaces Pie at first with two out.

[VanMan]

As Hill steps in, Appodaca comes out to talk with Fuentes. Will Ohman is up in case of extra innings. Hill is 1-for-8 career pinch hitting. Fastball low, ball one. Fastball catches the inside part of the zone, 1-1. Theriot would be next if the inning continues. Time called. Fastball looked outside, but Kulpa said was on the corner, 1-2. Fly to left field, falls for a single, Bowen stops at second. Theriot is next.

[VanMan]

Theriot is up, while Jacque Jones comes in to run for Bowen, representing the tying run. Fastball low, ball one. Soriano on deck. Grounder up the middle, Matsui can't handle it! Everyone safe!!!! Soriano up with the tying run 90 feet away!

[VanMan]

Soriano takes a fastball away, ball one. LINE DRIVE, LEFT CENTER, IT FALLS FOR A HIT! JONES SCORES, HERE COMES HILL... CUBS WIN!!! CUBS WIN!!!!

Final score, Cubs 10, Rockies 9

WHAT A FINISH!!!!!

[VanMan]

Totals for the game, Cubs: 10 runs, 18 hits, one error, winning pitcher Bob Howry, he's 1-1. Rockies: 9 runs, 13 hits, one error, losing pitcher Brian Fuentes, he's blown his fourth save and is 0-2. Time of the game is 3 hours and 34 minutes, in front of 40,269, all but one witnessed the winner.