The Cubs won two games on Sunday at New Scotland Town Park, to take sole possession of first place in the 45+ division, with just 3 games to play. In the morning contest, the Cubs just got by the winless Marlins 8-6, in a game that was well played and competitive throughout. The Marlins had a 5-1 lead after two innings, but the Cubbies came up with 6 runs, in the top of the 3rd, on 7 hits (6 in a row). The Marlins cut the lead to one, in the bottom of the 4th, but were held scoreless in the final 3 innings by starter Rich Garbarino (5th inning) and Jon Martin (6th and 7th innings). Rich Garbarino picked up the win for his efforts, and Martin picked up the save. The Cubs pounded out 14 hits, with Shawn Maney, Mike Ferraro, Mike Girard, Andy Hoyle, and Jon Martin all contributing 2 hits each. The Marlins registered 10 hits with two each from Scott Ross, Jim Ansel, and Jim Wing. Great fun was had by all!
Game two was a battle for the top of the division with the Giants! Pitching and defense were the story in this one. Chris Dunn was dominant through the first 6 innings, holding the Giants to just two base runners, with just a one-out double by Doug Reisinger in the 3rd, and a HBP to Mark Dabney with 2 outs in the 5th. Meanwhile, Jim Hicks was working on his own gem for the Giants. Through his first 5 innings, Hicks gave up just one unearned run on 5 hits. The Cubs were able to manage a two-out rally in the sixth, that proved to be the difference. With two outs, and nobody on, Mike Girard grounded a single up the middle. Dave Mitchell followed with a single, and Ron Lochner plated both runners with a clutch double. The Cubs added an insurance run in the top of the 7th on a Jon Martin walk (his 3rd of the game) and back to back singles by Mike Clary and Rich Garbarino. The Giants would muster a rally of their own, in the bottom of the seventh, as Dunn started to tire. Hicks singled and Mario Arduini worked a walk to start the inning. Dunn got the next batter to fly out to right, and the next batter to ground to short, but an error allowed one run to score, and the rally was on with just one out. Joey Burns followed with a single to load the bases. Times were tense! Carlos Llera lifted a sacrifice fly to left, to cut the lead to 4-2, but Dunn dug deep and got the final out on a grounder to second! Cubs win 4-2!
The Cubs move to 12-1, with the two victories, and now sit atop the league standings, with just 3 games left. The schedule shows a rematch with the Giants next Sunday, and a game the following week with the Bombers, so nothing has yet been decided, but the view is definitely nice from the top!
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Monday 15th of August 2016 02:55:27 PM
