The Cubs, revamped with some free-agent signings (Jon Lester, in particular), a new manager (Joe Maddon) and a prized rookie (Kris Bryant), had gotten off to a decent start in 2015. Entering the action May 15 they were 19-15 and five games behind the first-place Cardinals in the NL Central.

They had just completed a four-game sweep of the Mets at Wrigley when the Pirates came in to open a three-game series on Friday, May 15.

The Cubs scored early and often. Bryant smashed a three-run homer in the third inning, his fourth of the year and third on the homestand. The Cubs allowed a run in the fourth, but got that back and more on a Dexter Fowler sacrifice fly and solo homer by Anthony Rizzo. Then they extended the lead to 7-1 on a two-run single by Matt Szczur.

By the eighth, the Cubs led 10-5, but Jason Motte and Pedro Strop were hit hard in that inning and the Pirates scored four times, three on a homer off Strop by Andrew McCutchen. Then Pittsburgh tied the game off Hector Rondon in the ninth.

Neither team scored in the 10th. The Cubs loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning, but Szczur, who would wind up having a very busy day, hit into an inning-ending double play.

The 11th also went scoreless. Edwin Jackson, of all people, came into the game in relief in the 12th. Pirates runners got to second and third with two out, but the Pirates, out of position players, were forced to use pitcher Vance Worley to pinch-hit. He flied out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 12th, Starlin Castro walked with one out. Miguel Montero singled and Jorge Soler was intentionally walked (the old-fashioned way, with four actual pitches!) to load the bases.

That brought up Szczur. (The clip is from the Pirates broadcast.)

I know I’ve used this GIF many times, so here it is again:

The Cubs won the game 11-10. They would win again the next day to run their winning streak to six, but hung around near .500 until late July, when they would begin a 45-18 run that would get them to 97 wins and the wild-card game berth against the same Pirates, who they would defeat 4-0 to move on to a division series.

This wild win at Wrigley Field happened 10 years ago today, Friday, May 15, 2015.