The Cubs bounced back from their worst outing of the year, with a solid win against the Yankees, 11-5.
This game was a pitcher's duel through 5 complete innings. Lex Herlett, the Yankees starter, had the Cubs hitters scratching their heads, as he gave up just 4 singles and 1 unearned run through 5. Bobby Poulin gave up just 4 hits and 1 run for the Cubs, as the game entered the top of the 6th deadlocked at 1.
The Cubs got the 6th started with a one out single by Mike Ferraro. Mike Girard followed with a single to right center, moving Ferraro to third with one out. Andy Hoyle drove in the go-ahead run with a single. One out later, with Hoyle at third and Dave Mitchell on first, the Cubs executed a perfect "wounded duck" play, scoring Hoyle and leaving Mitchell on second, when a throw got away from the Yanks second baseman.
With a 3-1 lead, Poulin struck out the leadoff hitter in the 6th. The Yanks then started a rally with a double by Josh Kelly, and a RBI single from Dave Smitherman, to cut the deficit to 3-2. With two outs, Rich Robertson doubled, but the Cubs worked a great relay to keep the tying run at third. Bobby Poulin then induced a ground ball to short that ended the inning, preserving a one run lead.
The Cubs bats came alive in the 7th to provide 8 runs and break the game open. Bobby Poulin started the rally with a leadoff double. Jon Martin followed with a RBI single. An error, a walk, and a fielders choice later, Mike Ferraro provided a RBI single, and Mike Girard followed with a 2-RBI single. Andy Hoyle doubled home another run, and Alan Pennick capped the rally with a 3-run home run to straight away center field.
Jon Martin returned to the mound for the Cubs for the bottom of the 7th, after receiving two cortisone shots in his pitching shoulder earlier in the week. His command was off, and the Yanks got 3 runs (RBI single by Eric Duemler and a 2-RBI single by Smitherman) but he got through the inning, and the Cubs walked away with a 11-5 victory. The Cubs move to 12-2 with the win and next face the Highlanders on Saturday morning.
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Friday 26th of July 2013 09:35:50 AM
