Pitching and defense wins championships. The Dodgers got a solid performance from JJ Pearsall on Tuesday night at Dutchmen. JJ gave up just 3 runs on 8 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 7, in a complete game win. Ron Massaroni was solid, as well, giving up just 2 earned runs on 4 hits, 2 walks, and a hit batter, while striking out 4 in his 6 innings. The real story here was that the Dodgers were able to take advantage of 4 Cubs errors and turn them into 5 unearned runs. That is what champions do. If their opponents make a mistake, they jump on it and make it hurt. The Cubs played errorless ball in their 6 game sweep to the championship, in the playoffs in 2010, but could not duplicate that effort in 2011. The Dodgers did. Scoreless for the first 4 innings, the Dodgers loaded the bases with 2 outs on 2 Cubs errors and a hit batter. Jason Day came through with just the second Dodger single of the game, but this one gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. The Cubs didn't hang their heads and accept defeat! With 2 outs and nobody on, in the bottom of the fifth, Tom Maney walked, Jim McQuade singled, and both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Mike Ferraro came through with a clutch 2-RBI double to tie the game. Ron Massaroni got the first two Dodgers in the top of the 6th inning, but the Dodgers had a little 2-out magic of their own. Two walks and a wild pitch put runners on second and third. Mike Burns stroked a two run single to put the Dodgers up 4-2. JJ Pearsall hit a long fly ball to center that was lost in the lights and misplayed for an error that scored the 5th Dodgers run and left JJ on third with 2 outs. Ryan Johnson followed with a RBI single to make it 6-2. Ryan was thrown out trying to steal to end the rally. The normal reaction with a 6-2 deficit and Mr. Pearsall dealing is to resign yourself to the inevitable and go through the motions. Not the defending champs! The Cubs got consecutive one out singles from Mike Girard, Andy Hoyle, and Ron Lochner, to load the bases. Steve Lounello hit a sacrafice fly to right field to score Girard to close the gap to 6-3. Mr. Pearsall then got a ground out to third to end the Cubs rally. The final run of the game would come in the top of the seventh, when Joe Burns reached on the fourth Cubs error of the night, Carlos Llera singled, and the run scored on two consecutive fielders choices. The game ended in the bottom of the seventh, when the Dodgers turned a 6-4-3 double play. Fitting end for a team that played perfect defense in this championship series. Pitching and defense win another championship! Congrats to the Dodgers on a great season! Winning 25 games in a row after a season opening loss! Spectacular and well earned!!! Enjoy it!
