One win. Finally. One precious home win.
The Chicago Cubs haven't given their fans many wins to savor in the last 118 years, but Wednesday's victory at Wrigley Field over the Cincinnati Reds has to rank up right up there with the big ones.The Cubs stopped a club-record home losing streak at 12 games with a 5-2 victory.
Tom Treblehorn, how big a win was it?
"They say one game doesn't make a season, but I say one win a life may have saved," the Cubs manager said. "I never went through anything like this. I'm glad its over."
The Cubs pulled out all the tricks. Ernie Banks, a Hall of Famer who may be the most popular former Cub, paraded a goat around the field before the game in a radio station's effort to break a 49-year-old curse. Banishment of a saloon keeper's goat from Wrigley Field during the 1945 World Series prompted the animal's owner to put a famous curse on the Cubs.
Mets 7, Giants 4
At New York, Bobby Bonilla hit two home runs, the second a two-run shot in the seventh inning to lift the Mets.
Expos 5, Dodgers 4
At Montreal, Tim Spehr singled off Kevin Gross to drive in the winning run with two outs the ninth inning, giving the Expos their 12th win in 14 games.
Astros 7, Pirates 4
At Pittsburgh, Craig Biggio hit a go-ahead triple in the eighth and a two-run single in the ninth.
Braves 3, Marlins 0
At Atlanta, Steve Avery pitched eight shutout innings to help the Braves end their worst losing streak in two years.
Cardinals 6, Rockies 5
At Denver, Bernard Gilkey hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning off Darren Holmes to cap the Cardinals' rally.
American League
Orioles 4, Athletics 3
Mike Devereaux's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning gave the Baltimore Orioles a victory over the Oakland Athletics.
Angels 7, Yankees 6
Center fielder Chad Curtis made outstanding plays on consecutive batters to stop New York from scoring in the top of the 13th, and Damion Easley singled home the winning run in the bottom half.
White Sox 6, Indians 1
Wilson Alvarez won his 13th straight decision in two seasons, pitching a six-hitter as Chicago beat visiting Cleveland.
Red Sox 4, Mariners 2
Mo Vaughn and Mike Greenwell homered as Boston beat Seattle for its seventh straight win.
Royals 4, Blue Jays 2
Felix Jose hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot in the 10th inning that lifted Kansas City over Toronto at the SkyDome.
Tigers 14, Rangers 7
Lou Whitaker hit a grand slam and a three-run homer, leading Detroit over Texas.
Cecil Fielder hit his 200th career homer, a 475-foot drive that landed on the left-field roof at Tiger Stadium. Alan Trammell had three hits and drove in three runs for Detroit, and Travis Fryman homered.
Twins 8, Brewers 7
Shane Mack tripled home the go-ahead run with two outs in the ninth inning and Minnesota won in Milwaukee.