Javier Baez HR in 12th gives Chicago Cubs win in his debut

Javier Baez went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts before saving his best for last – a home run to right cent off left-hander Boone Logan in the 12th inning to lift the Chicago Cubs to a 6-5 victory Tuesday night at Coors Field.

Baez’s home run traveled an estimated 414 feet and was almost identical to his opposite field shot he hit in the Futures Game at Target Field over the right center wall.

This is the fourth time in Major League history that a player has hit a go-ahead or game-winning home run in extra innings in his Major League debut. The list includes the Angels’ Billy Parker (1971); the Twins’ Kent Hrbek (1981); and the Marlins’ Miguel Cabrera (2003).

Welington Castillo also homered for the Cubs, who have won four of five. Hector Rondon (3-3) blew his fourth save on the season but took the win, and Carlos Villanueva earned his second save.

Starlin Castro lined a double off the left field wall then a pair of one-out walks, before Ryan Sweeney hit a bloop single into right to score Castro for a 5-4 Cubs lead in the top of the 11th.

But the Rockies answered in the bottom of the 11th, Jason Pridie hit a hopper off Baez and was charged without an error. Charlie Blackmon followed with a single then Charlie Culberson dropped in a game-tying single to right with two out.

It was the Cubs’ fourth extra-inning game in their last seven, and 14th of the season.

Nolan Arenado homered, and Logan took the loss for the Rockies, who have dropped five straight to fall to the bottom of the National League.

Baez struck out on a breaking pitch in his first at-bat against Anderson, who left in the top of the fourth because of lower back spasms according to the Rockies.

Franklin Morales entered and threw two scoreless innings before Castillo led off the sixth with his eighth homer of the season to trim the Rockies’ lead to 3-1.

The Cubs drew six walks, including two with the bases loaded to force in runs in the seventh to score three runs. Chris Valaika added a sacrifice fly to take a 4-3 lead.

Left-hander Wesley Wright allowed a game-tying homer to Arenado, his 10th of the season, with two out in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings.

Cubs starter Travis Wood allowed three runs on seven hits, walking three and striking out two over six innings.

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