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Cedeno helps Cubs rally past Rockies in season finale

Oct 1, 2006 - 10:30 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- An extremely disappointing season mercilessly ended for the Chicago Cubs with a win. But soon after, heads began to roll.

Minutes after the Cubs' 8-5, come-from-behind victory over the Colorado Rockies, Chicago club president Andy MacPhail resigned, starting a domino effect that probably will include manager Dusty Baker an the entire coaching staff in the coming days.

The Cubs (66-96), who finished in last place in the National League Central and just four wins shy of 100 losses, struggled all season, prompting speculation that changes would be made.

"My goal is singular for the purpose of the Cubs to win the World Series," interim team president John McDonough said. "Not to win the wild card or the division or just win the pennant. It is time to win the World Series.

"I think we need to reward these 10s of millions of fans who have waited for a long time. We will win. We will win the World Series. Our goal is to win consistently."

Much of the talk circled around Baker, who was in the last year of his contract, did not receive an extension during the season and was not expected to last the year.

Baker, who is 322-326 in four years at the helm, was booed throughout Sunday's finale. He is set to meet with club officials on Monday.

"It's been a great experience (being Cubs manager) and I have learned a lot about people and myself," Baker said. "The town is starved for a winner and I am disappointed that we came close but didn't give it to them.

"No matter what happens I am pulling for the Cubs. The organization gave me an opportunity to come here, I am thankful for that."

In the game played on the field, Chicago scored three times in the seventh to erase a 4-2 deficit. Ronny Cedeno delivered a two-out run-scoring single and Henry Blanco walked and scored on shortstop Clint Barmes' throwing error that tied the game.

Juan Pierre capped the frame with an RBI single to left field against Jeremy Affeldt (8-8).

David Aardsma (3-0) picked up the win for the Chicago. Cubs starter Wade Miller gave up four runs and six hits in four innings.

Aramis Ramirez recorded his 38th homer, a two-run blast, in the fourth for the Cubs, who registered 3,123,215 fans at Wrigley Field - second most in franchise history - despite the terrible season.

In his first career start, Ubaldo Jimenez yielded two runs and three hits in 6 2/3 innings for the Rockies. The 22-year-old Dominican walked three and struck out three.

"I think that Jimenez was quite impressive," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "He pitched into the seventh inning and he used all of his pitches. He was able to command his breaking ball early and late in the count and used his changeup effectively."

Colorado (76-86) built a 4-0 lead in the third when Kaz Matsui launched a two-run homer and Brad Hawpe added a two-run double later in the frame.