Double Moose Alert: Cubs Comeback After Two-Out HBP in Ninth-Inning

Thanks to a Padres throwing error, the Cubs tied the game 3-3 in the top of the fifth inning on an unearned run. The game would grind to a halt from that point on, which had to please under 8.5 bettors. That score held until Austin Hedges hit a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth-inning to give San Diego a 4-3 lead. The Padres had a chance to add to their lead, but they stranded two more runners. They finished the night 1-of-9 with runners in scoring position, and left 10 men on base.

Under 8.5 and Padres moneyline (+115) backers just needed a clean Brad Hand save in the top of the ninth to cash their tickets. And with the bottom of the Cubs order due up, those folks had to like their chances, right?

Hand got off to a peachy start, getting both Ben Zobrist and Ian Happ out to start the inning. With two outs and nobody on, the Cubs sent up backup catcher Victor Caratini to pinch-hit for the pitcher. That's when things went downhill for those who had money on the under and/or the underdog.

Hand completely lost command of his fastball and hit Caratini with a pitch after getting behind in the count. That turned the lineup over, brining Anthony Rizzo to the plate. Hand got behind once again, but came back to make the count full. Caratini got a nice jump from first, and Rizzo doubled him home to tie the game.

That sent all under tickets up in flames, but Padres moneyline still had a shot. Hope was restored for those that backed the Fathers after Hand struck out Albert Almora Jr. to end the inning with the game still tied 4-4.

Pedro Strop then entered the game for the Cubs to face the top of the San Diego order. As someone who bet the Padres, it felt like they needed to get it done in walk-off fashion against Strop. But they never even came close to scoring, as Strop struck out the side.

Extra innings.

At this point, under backers already started capping tomorrow's card, but side bettors were still fully engaged.

Adam Cimber came in for the Padres and got Kris Bryant to ground out to start the inning, but then Javier Baez reached on an infield single. Baez then attempted to steal second, which led to a throwing error by the catcher and then an error on the center fielder (who bobbled the errant throw). That allowed Baez to score an unearned run from first on a steal attempt — Chicago's second unearned run of the game.

To add insult to injury, Cimber retired the next two Cubs with ease.

Trailing 5-4, the Padres still had a shot in the bottom of the 10th against Cubs closer Brandon Morrow. But after getting the leadoff man on base, they went quietly into the San Diego night — much to the delight of the thousands of Cubs fans that filled Petco Park.

I just hope nobody out there had the Padres and the under. Godspeed if you did.