Really, this was one of the most enjoyable position player pitching appearances ever.<\/p>\n
Why?<\/p>\n
Because the Cubs had just finished an epic collapse. With a division title or at least a wild card berth seemingly locked up, they lost nine in a row to the Reds, Cardinals and Pirates, some in jaw-dropping fashion. After they were eliminated from the postseason, a season-ending series in St. Louis wound up meaningless.<\/p>\n
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The Cubs won the first two games of that series, but in the series \u2014 and season \u2014 finale, started by Derek Holland (remember him as a Cub? You probably don\u2019t want to), the Cardinals raced out to a 9-0 lead over the first four innings.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Jack Flaherty and Giovanny Gallegos held the Cubs to just three singles over the first eight innings.<\/p>\n
And so it was that Ben Zobrist, the beloved 2016 World Series MVP, wound up on the mound in the bottom of the eighth. Zobrist had played second base and shortstop earlier in the game, in a season that was shortened for him to just 47 games due to personal family issues. (No need to go over those now.)<\/p>\n
Zobrist walked his World Series teammate Dexter Fowler, then got Tommy Edman to line to center. Another walk followed, to Paul Goldschmidt. Then Marcell Ozuna was retired on a pop fly.<\/p>\n
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That brought up Yadier Molina, and Zobrist struck him out.<\/p>\n
Here are the three outs recorded by Zobrist [VIDEO].<\/a><\/p>\n