Cubs Blow 8-0, 7th Inning Lead, Game 4, 1929 World Series

The Cubs had lost the first two games to the underdog Philadelphia Athletics before winning Game 3, and taking an eight-run lead going into the bottom of the 7th inning in Game 4.  Things appeared to have turned in the Cubs favor as they were about to even the series, but no lead is safe for the Cubs in the postseason. 

First Al Simmons hit a homerun, then the rest of the Athletics started to pile on the hits.  Single after single made it 8-4 with two men on and no outs when the Cubs finally decided to pull starter Charlie Root for Art Nehf.  Sadly for the Cubs, Nehf had no luck, allowing three runs on an error in which Cubs CF Hack Wilson lost a Mule Haas fly ball in the sun, clearing the bases for an inside-the-park home run, making it 8-7.  Sheriff Blake was the next man in from the bullpen, and he fared no better.  Two more singles, a hit-batter, and a double gave the A’s a 10-8 lead, and finished off a comeback from which the Cubs would not recover. The eight-run deficit overcome by the Athletics is still the largest in playoff history to this date.