Game 4 rally takes magical season to new heights

SAN FRANCISCO — Joined by the three Cubs relievers who had entered and exited behind him in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday, John Lackey settled around a TV monitor in the far left corner of the AT&T Park visitors’ clubhouse as the ninth inning was set to begin. If their offense started to stir, they weren’t going to budge.

Out in the dugout, there was a rally cry, a reminder that this team had erased a ninth-inning deficit eight times during the regular season — and once already in this series — and so, why couldn’t they again?

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Game Date Matchup TV/Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 7 CHC 1, SF 0 Gm 2 Oct. 8 CHC 5, SF 2 Gm 3 Oct. 10 SF 6, CHC, 5 (13) Gm 4 Oct. 11 CHC 6, SF 5 • Giants vs. Cubs NLDS coverageShop for postseason gear: Cubs | Giants

What followed was the most exhilarating comeback yet, as the Cubs pounced on a fracturing Giants ‘pen to flip a three-run deficit into a 6-5 victory that sent them back to the NL Championship Series. Six consecutive hitters reached against five relievers in a span of 22 pitches to end the Giants’ string of 10 consecutive elimination-game victories and move the Cubs one rung closer to that elusive World Series championship.

Game 1 of the NLCS is Saturday at Wrigley Field against either the Nationals or Dodgers on FOX/FS1 with game time TBD.

“Once we got to the bullpen,” bench coach Dave Martinez said, “we felt we had a chance to do something.”

It took the Cubs nine innings to get there, as Giants starter Matt Moore dazzled while holding Chicago to two hits over eight innings. But with his pitch count at 120, Giants …

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