The Reds had first licks in this one, and they plated 3 runs, in the bottom of the 1st. All three runs were unearned as the Cubs committed 3 errors. With the sloppy top of the first behind them, the Cubs did not sit and pout about it. They got their hitting shoes on and pounded out 5 hits and induced two walks and a HBP, in plating 7 runs to take a 7-3 lead and never turn back. Mike Girard had a RBI double and Andy Hoyle and Jim McQuade had 2-RBI singles in the rally. The Reds did close the gap to 7-6 with 3 runs in the top of the 3rd inning. Ralph Caputo's 2-RBI single was the big hit in the rally. The Cubs got some breathing room in the bottom of the fourth by plating 7 more runs on 4 singles and 4 walks. Steve Lounello, Tom Maney, Shawn Maney, and Jim McQuade had RBI's, and Phil Gadomski had a 2-RBI single in the inning. With the lead at 14-6, the Cubs defense got sloppy again as they contributed 2 errors with one on and two outs, in the top of the 5th, to aid the Reds in scoring two runs in the inning to make the score 14-8. The Cubs put a merciful end to this one in the bottom of the fifth by scoring 6 runs on 7 singles and a double. McQuade, Gadomski, Ron Lochner, and Tom Maney all had RBI hits, while Shawn Maney added a 2-RBI double. The game ended at 20-8 on a sacrafice fly by Bryce Cutler, who leaves for his impending wedding and honeymoon. Congratulations Bryce! Phil Gadomski got the win for the Cubs giving up just 3 earned runs on 8 hits and a walk, while striking out 3. The Cubs move to 11-5 with the win, and now pray that the rain will miss pittsfield on Friday so that they can get their game in at Waconah against the Orioles on Saturday. It should be a great game! Mike Lacoture had two singles and a stolen base for the Reds, in defeat.
This game was sloppier than most, largely in part to the inadequate lighting at Bob Moore. The outfielders had trouble seeing the ball all night. It is OK for a regular season game to be played under these conditions, but the voices of all of the players were loud and clear that they would prefer that this field not be used for 8:15 pm starts during the playoffs. The lights are just not good enough. The ladies in attendance all wanted me to also mention that the bathrooms are disgusting. They were disgusting last year and it looks like nobody has cleaned them since then. When you are a Grand Poobah, people want you to be their voice. I am just reporting what MANY are thinking! Don't shoot the messenger!
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Friday 29th of July 2011 10:55:22 AM
