Expert: Jamie Selko - 8/2/2007

Question
After watching San Diego come relatively close to blowing a 12-0 lead on Sunday, I got to thinking about large comebacks. I'm sure there have been countless great comebacks in the history of baseball, but what are the largest run-deficits ever overcome. Being a Pirate fan, I'm betting that the game they lost to the Phillies after being up 10-0 in the top of the first inning is up there. If I could have the top 5 or so that would be great.

P.S. If its not too much, the Cleveland Indians made a pretty large comeback in the past 5 years or so, I want to say against Oakland. Any recollection of that?

Much Thanks Jamie

Answer
Howdy-Your memory of that game is correct.  The Indians came from 12 runs back TWICE in one game vs the Mariners on 5 August, 2001.  (This loss is what kept the Mariners from setting the all-time win record for a season, as they finished with 116.  Piniella took out Aaron Sele when the lead was reduced to seven.  He also yanked Sele with a five run lead in another game (pitch count- Sele had given up either one or no runs when he was taken out.  that would have been win #118).  Detroit also overcame a 12 run deficit on 18 June, 1911 to beat the White Sox 16-15, and ditto for the Athletics vs, the Indians, 15 June, 1925, winning 17-15.  The N.L. record is 11, done twice: St. Louis vs. New York, 15 June, 1952 (14-12) and Philadelphia vs Chicago, 17 April, 1972 (18-16 final score).