Cubs mark 10,000th win with extra inning victory

DENVER -- During a pre-game media briefing littered with discussion of hot streaks, league-leading numbers and an impending victory of historical significance, Cubs manager Lou Piniella warned that his team was about to begin "a tough little road trip.''

Maybe so, but nothing seems to be able to slow down the streaking Cubs these days. Not even letting a 3-run lead slip away in the sixth inning, and losing a 1-run lead in the ninth.

That just made it the right time for Ryan Theriot, who missed the last two games due to back stiffness, to single in the go-ahead run with two outs in top of the 10th inning.

More Coverage Links Get a piece of the big win

"When they came back (and took the lead), I had a feeling we'd come back and do it again,'' Theriot said. "When you know the guys behind you can get the job done, you start seeing good things happen. It's the mark of a team that enjoys playing together.''

It was also the right time for Carlos Marmol to save a 7-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies before an announced crowd of 36,864 at Coors Field, extending all the good surrounding the Cubs' hot April for another day.

The winning streak has reached six, and the Cubs have won nine of 10 to bring their record to 15-6 -- their best start in 33 years -- and the franchise now can count 10,000 victories in its long history.

"It's a lot of wins, isn't it?'' manager Lou Piniella said. "It really is. They've had a long history here. I don't know how many franchises have won 10,000 ballgames. It can't be that many. It's something to be proud of.''

Actually, only one other organization -- the New York/San Francisco Giants -- has passed the 10,000-win mark. Piniella also reached a personal milestone, tying Ralph Houk for 14th place on the all-time list with 1,619 victories. But No. 1,619 sure didn't come easily, or quickly, as the game went three hours and 19 minutes.

"It was exciting. Fun,'' Piniella said. "The fans got their money's worth.''

For 5#189; innings, Piniella's concerns seemed unfounded. The Cubs built a 3-run lead and received 5 scoreless innings from Rich Hill, who will be pushed back next time through the rotation since the Cubs will start three right-handers against Milwaukee (5-0 vs. left-handed starters) after Monday's day off.

But Rockies second baseman Clint Barmes ended the shutout with a home run to start the bottom of the sixth, and then after Hill walked Todd Helton, Piniella went to his bullpen three times, trying in vain to hold off a 5-run outburst.

But the Cubs were far from finished.

Lee had 4 hits, including a triple and RBI single, and now has 19 hits in his last 10 games. His ninth-inning single was followed by Aramis Ramirez's dramatic 2-run homer that gave the Cubs a 6-5 lead, but Kerry Wood couldn't hold it.

Enter Theriot -- and a new feeling that is building in the Cubs' clubhouse.