The Cubs pushed their record to 9-1, with a 7-1 victory over the Pirates on Tuesday night at Kuhn field.
Ron Massaroni got the start for the Cubs and pitched 5 strong innings, giving up just one earned run, while scattering 6 hits and no walks and striking out 3. After the leadoff hitter for the Pirates reached on an error, the Cubs defense settled down and played error-free baseball the rest of the way in support of solid pitching. Chris Dunn came on to pitch hitless baseball for the 6th and 7th innings. The only batter to reach base was via a HBP. He struck out one batter in each inning.
The Cubs got all of the offense they would need from the 2-3-4 hitters. In the bottom of the first, Bobby Lane hit a one out single and stole second base on the first pitch. Mike Girard singled him home, and Dave Mitchell followed with a homer to left, to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the third inning, Lane led off with a double. Girard again plated Lane, this time with a double, and Dave Mitchell followed with his second 2-run home run, and the Cubs lead grew to 6-0. Bobby Lane led off the bottom of the fifth with his 3rd hit of the evening (a double to left center), was moved to third on Mitchell fly out, and scored the final run of the game on a wild pitch.
The Cubs don't see action again until next Thursday at Kuhn field against these same Pirates.
Thanks to Carlo and the Pirates who were very short-handed last night and made special arrangements to make sure they had nine guys there so we could get the game in. Very much appreciated!