The Chicago Cubs were hoping to go into the All-Star break with some serious momentum, but it was not meant to be as they surrendered a staggering 10 first inning runs to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cubs starter Jon Lester didn’t even get out of the first inning of the game, as he surrendered a grand slam to Francisco Cervelli to help propel the Pirates to a massive lead.
It was the first time that Lester has ever been chased from a game that quickly, but fortunately for Cubs fans, some history with giving up big first inning outbursts will make you feel better.
According to Christopher Kamka of Comcast Sportsnet Chicago, the last time the Cubs surrendered 10 or more runs in the first inning of a game was all the way back in June 1998, when they lost 16-3 to the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Fortunately for the Cubs, that loss didn’t spell doom for their season, as they were still able to reach the playoffs that fall behind the hot bat of Sammy Sosa, who clubbed 66 home runs and won National League MVP honors that year.
As for the last time the Pirates scored 10 or more runs in the first inning of a game, that last happened all the way back in June 1989, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
A young slugger named Barry Bonds smacked a three-run home run in that game as the Pirates somehow managed to lose to the Philadelphia Phillies by a 15-11 margin at Veteran’s Stadium.
Chicago Baseball
For Cubs fans looking for more good omens from that game, the Cubs also made the playoffs during that 1989 season, winning the National League East before ultimately falling to the San Francisco Giants in the National League Championship Series.
