Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Proof it’s never too late
Wolters, Rockies seize the moment in extra-inning win
CHICAGO — Tony Wolters waited and waited as the NL wild-card game went deep into Tuesday night. He stretched a couple of times and tried to figure out when he might get a chance to play.
When that opportunity arrived, he was ready.
Wolters hit a tiebreaking single with two outs in the 13th inning as the Rockies outlasted the Cubs 2-1 at Wrigley Field in the longest win-or-go-home postseason game in majorleague history.
“Probably the biggest hit I’ve ever had, that’s for sure,” he said.
The 26-year-old Wolters, claimed off waivers from the Indians in 2016, entered as part of a double switch in the bottom of the 12th. The reserve catcher came up with runners at the corners and drove in Trevor Story with a two-strike hit back up the middle off losing pitcher Kyle Hendricks, quieting the crowd of 40,151.
After playing their third big game over three days in three different cities, the Rockies head to Milwaukee to open a best-of-five Division Series against the NL Central champion Brewers on Thursday.
“We didn’t make it easy on ourselves, that’s for sure,” Story said, “but we’re going to enjoy this one tonight and we’re definitely not done.”
Scott Oberg, the sixth Rockies pitcher, fanned Kris Bryant to end the 12th and then struck out the side in the 13th to finish the longest postseason game at 104-year-old Wrigley.
After Albert Almora Jr. struck out swinging for the final out, Wolters ran out and grabbed Oberg. They were soon joined by the rest of the excited Rockies in a rollicking purple mob near the mound.
“You’re always wondering, ‘How’s this going to end?’ But our guys fought all night, and to be able to get that last out there was great,” Oberg said.
Wolters got his first hit since Sept. 10 in his playoff debut, and it was just the second postseason game for Oberg.
This one lasted 4 hours, 55 minutes, and had pretty much everything. Hendricks was the third starting pitcher used by the Cubs, after Jon Lester worked six solid innings and Cole Hamels was pressed into action after the teams were tied 1-1 through nine. Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado exchanged a memorable hug with Javier Baez after he tagged the excitable Cubs star in the 11th.
“Such a crazy game,” Story said.
The Cubs made it to the NLCS in each of the previous three seasons, winning the 2016 World Series to break a 108-year drought, but they were plagued by an inconsistent offense all season long. They finished with six hits and left 10 runners on base a day after managing only three hits in Monday’s 3-1 home loss to the Brewers in the NL Central tiebreaker.
“We played that game a lot,” said manager Joe Maddon, who matched a postseason record by using 23 players. “Believe me, it was on my mind for a large part of it.”
This time, it was Kyle Freeland cruising through Maddon’s lineup.
Starting on three days’ rest for the first time in the pros, Freeland struck out six in 62⁄3 scoreless innings.
“I think this will go down as a Major League Baseball classic,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “And it’s awesome that a number of these fellas will always remember this game.”