USA TODAY International Edition
Montero's slam suspends and inspires belief
One swing of the bat, by a man who never thought he’d even be given a chance, may now be forever immortalized in this part of the world.
There have been plenty of memorable home runs hit at Wrigley Field, but perhaps none bigger in the history of the Chicago Cubs’ franchise.
Miguel Montero’s dramatic pinch- hit grand slam Saturday not only won the game for the Cubs, 8- 4 over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field, but it may have saved their season.
It was the first time that a pinch- hit grand slam provided the game- winning run in a postseason game, and was only the third pinch- hit grand slam in postseason history.
Really, this was Montero’s Kirk Gibson moment, receiving treatment all day on his sore back, guessing that he was in and out of the hot tub 17 times, when he was called to pinch- hit.
Two outs, three on, and the crowd standing on its feet, Montero slowly walked to the plate, convinced that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts would change pitchers, forcing him out of the game.
Roberts liked the matchup, even more when reliever Joe Blanton got ahead of him with two quick strikes, only to watch Montero swing, and connect. It was as if time stood still. Montero, almost stunned, watched it soar into the night, landing deep into the right- field bleachers.
Dexter Fowler, standing in the on- deck circle, dropped his bat, threw his arms into the air, and just kept jumping.
Javier Baez, who became the first Cubs player to steal home in a postseason game since 1907, was inside the clubhouse watching video of his last swing, when he heard the noise.
“I thought the roof was caving in,’’ Baez said. “I really did.’’
The crowd of 42,376 jumped up and down with such force, the ballpark actually shook with elation.
“Obviously as a kid,’’ Montero said, “you always dream of the situations. And that's what you live for. It's easy to hit a grand slam in the first inning when nobody is actually screaming at it.
“This one is a lot more special because it's in front of this special crowd that we have, and you're always looking for that.”
It was just Game 1, but considering the Cubs’ dreadful postseason history, and knowing they are facing Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw in Game 2, this was bigger than just one victory.
“It was big, real big,’’ Baez said. “We needed that one.’’
The victory, if you can believe it, marks the first time since 1945 that the Cubs have a 1- 0 lead a best- of- seven playoff series.
That was the last year the Cubs won the pennant, which happened to be 37 years after their last World Series title.
It was even the Cubs’ first victory in the NLCS since 2003, when Steve Bartman became an overnight household name.
The Cubs, as only they can do, were the ones who created this drama. They were just two strikes away from taking a 3- 1 lead into the ninth when Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez hit a two- run single off Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman — his second blown save of the postseason.
Gonzalez’s hit turned the Wrigley party into a morgue.
“The vibe on the bench was good after we came off the field,’’ Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “Even though they had tied it, the big point there is always you never want to relinquish the lead. That's where the momentum really swings the other side. I'm really pleased and proud of our guys how they handled difficult situations.’’
Roberts battled wits with Maddon in the eighth inning after Ben Zobrist led off with a double. Russell grounded out for the first out. Roberts then intentionally walked Jason Heyward, who has struggled all season, but tripled earlier in the game. Baez flied out for the second out. Maddon sent up left- handed hitter Chris Coghlan. Roberts intentionally walked him, too, loading the bases. It forced Maddon to take out Chapman, summoning Montero.