It was a miracle that we got the game in, but two lines of storms stayed on either side of the field all night, and the game went on without as much as a shower.
This game was a pitchers duel all of the way. The Yanks got a solid pitching performance from Dale Smith, who gave up just 3 earned runs, on 6 hits and 6 walks while striking out 5. Dale's battery mate, Tom Bradley helped erase 3 of those walks by throwing out 3 runners trying to steal second. When was the last time you saw a catcher in the 35's do that?
The Cubs rolled out first time starter Chris Dunn, and Chris was spectacular in his 5 innings of work. Chris allowed just a first inning double by Eric Duemler, and a second inning double by Pat Alston, while walking none and striking out 6. He had great command of his pitches and even when he missed the strike zone it was rarely by more than a matter on an inch or two. Chris left the game after 5, with a 4-0 lead, and Mike Girard came on to mop up over the last two innings, giving up two singles and no walks, while striking out one.
The Cubs only led 1-0 (on an unearned run) until the top of the fifth. In that frame Bobby Lane hit a one-out double, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a Jim McQuade RBI single.
The Cubs got some breathing room in the top of the sixth when Randy Craft and Mike Girard led off the inning with back-to-back doubles. Girard moved to third on a ground out by Andy Hoyle and scored on a RBI ground out by Dave Mitchell, providing the final margin of victory.
The Cubs move to 5-1 with the win and enjoy 7 days off before next taking the field on Friday May 31 against the Padres at "the Bob".