The Giants got great pitching and defense on Sunday, and were able to eek out just enough offense to beat the division leading Cubs 3-2.
Joey Burns started and gave up just 2 first inning runs (one earned), as he scattered just 4 hits over his 5 innings of work, for the win.
Jim Hicks came on in the 6th, and pitched two perfect innings for the save.
The Giants could only muster 3 runs, off of Cubs' starter, Mike Girard, but that was enough to come away with the victory.

The Giants jumped out to a 1-0 lead, as Joe Burns led off with a single and a stolen base. After two harmless groundouts, Mark Dabney hit a hard grounder to third that was mishandled,
and the Giants were up 1-0.

It didn't take long for the Cubs to answer, as lead-off man Mike Ferraro reached on the only Giants error in the game, in the bottom of the first.
Mike Girard and Dave Mitchell followed with run scoring doubles, and the Cubs were up 2-1, with no outs and a man on second.
Mr. Burns answered with a strike out and two pop outs to end the rally.

Joey helped his own cause in the 3rd inning, when he led off with a solo HR to left, to tie the game at 2.

Both pitchers held their opponents scoreless for the next 2 innings.

It wasn't until the top of the 6th that the deciding run was scored.
Mark Dabney led off with a walk, and a stolen base. After a strike out brought the first out of the inning, Wayne Phillips singled to left.
Dabney was going to stop at third, but a little bobble by the Cubs left fielder convinced him to head for home, and he beat the throw home for the deciding run.

The game had a great playoff atmosphere, and was a blast to be a part of. Can't wait until the actual playoffs get started.

Next up for the Cubbies is a game with the Blue Jays next Sunday, with a final game versus the Bombers, to decide the regular season title.

-- Edited by mgirard11 on Monday 22nd of August 2016 08:51:57 AM