The Chicago Cubs made history on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates by drawing six bases-loaded walks in the fifth inning, the most by a major league team in a single inning in 65 years. The last team to achieve this feat was the Chicago White Sox in 1959. The inning began with Pirates rookie Paul Skenes making his big league debut, but giving up two hits and being replaced. The Cubs ended up needing three more pitchers to get through the inning, which was also interrupted by a 2-hour, 20-minute rain delay.
Kyle Nicolas replaced Skenes and hit Ian Happ with a pitch before going on to throw 12 straight pitches outside the strike zone to Nico Hoerner, Michael Busch, and Miles Mastrobuoni, bringing in three runs. Josh Fleming then came in and walked Yan Gomes on five pitches, followed by an infield single to Mike Tauchman. Fleming was pulled for Colin Holderman, who proceeded to walk Seiya Suzuki and Cody Bellinger on short pitch counts, giving the Cubs an 8-6 lead. The Pirates threw 55 pitches in the inning, with only 20 of them being strikes.
Despite the Cubs’ impressive inning, the Pirates were quickly able to retake the lead thanks to Yasmani Grandal’s 3-run homer in the bottom half of the inning. The Pirates held on to win the game 10-9, despite the Cubs’ record-breaking performance. This game highlighted the unpredictability and excitement that can come with baseball, as even a significant lead can quickly turn into a deficit with a few key plays.
The Cubs’ performance in the fifth inning showcased both their ability to capitalize on opportunities and take advantage of their opponents’ mistakes. Drawing six bases-loaded walks in a single inning is a rare feat that required strong plate discipline and focus from their hitters. The Pirates pitchers struggled to find the strike zone, leading to the Cubs’ scoring surge and eventual lead.
This game serves as a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in baseball, as a seemingly insurmountable lead can be erased in a matter of pitches. The Cubs’ offensive outburst in the fifth inning was a testament to their resilience and ability to take advantage of the situation. Despite ultimately losing the game, the Cubs’ record-setting performance in the fifth inning will go down in baseball history as a memorable and unusual occurrence. This game will be remembered for the Cubs’ impressive display of patience at the plate and the unpredictable nature of the sport.
