In a rematch of a 2017 semi-final pairing, the Whiz Kids and the Cubs ('17 Marlins) got together for their first 2018 regular season match-up.

The difference in this one was the Cubs ability to plate runners when they were in scoring position, and the Whiz Kid's inability to do the same.

Dan Maguire led off the game with a single, but was picked off by Cubs' starter, Mike Girard. The Whiz would get a 2-out single and a stolen base from
Greg Mangione, but stranded both runners when Girard induced a short fly ball to center.
In the bottom of the first, Mike Girard doubled, and Dave Mitchell followed with a solid RBI single, to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.

The Whiz would load the bases with one out, in the top of the 3rd, but the Cubs turned a 5-4-3 double play to escape with the lead in tact.
In the bottom half of that frame, the Cubs got runners to second and third with two outs, on a walk to Bob Coffey, and a single and stolen base by Paul Miles.
Girard then delivered those two runs with a single up the middle, just out of the reach of a diving Mangione.

The story was very much the same in the 4th inning. The top half of the inning saw the Whiz, again get two runners on.
This time a walk and a stolen base by John Cortese, followed by a Jim Preller single had runners on first and third, with nobody out.
They were again unable to push a run across, as Girard got a pop up to the mound, a short fly ball to left, and a strike out, to escape the jam.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Cubs plated two more runs on a walk to Ron Lochner, followed by a very long RBI double by PJ Martone.
One batter later, Jim McQuade delivered Martone with a RBI single, and the Cubs pushed the lead to 5-0.

The Whiz kept at it, and finally got two runs, in the top of the fifth. Dan Maguire got a one out single and was moved to second on a catcher's interference.
Reggie Flansburg followed with a clean RBI single to right. The Whiz would get their second run of the inning with the help of a Cubs error. Girard would get
out of the inning without any further damage by inducing a harmless grounder to third.

The Cubs added two important insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. The rally would start with a single by Marc Lochner, who then advanced to third on two wild pitches.
Martone followed with a walk and a stolen base, putting runners on second and third and nobody out. After a strike out recorded the first out of the inning, Jim McQuade delivered a RBI single,
and Ralph Caputo delivered the other run on a RBI fielder's choice, and the Cubs had a 7-2 lead.

With a 5 run lead entering the 7th inning, and the daylight quickly fading, the Cubs just needed to avoid a late rally from the Whiz. Girard got the first Whiz hitter on strikes,
but Dan Maguire followed with his second hit of the day. Mike Kane then hit a shot to right field, where Bob Coffey made a terrific catch, and almost doubled up the runner at first.
That play took the air out of the whiz Kids' sails and Girard then got the last out on a pop out to the catcher. The Cubs walked away with a 7-2 win over a very tough rival.

The Whiz got 7 runners into scoring position, but were only able to plate 2 of them. The Cubs got 10 runners into scoring position, and were able to push 7 of them across the plate.
That was the story in this one.

With just 2 games left in the first round of the 2018 regular season, the Cubs stand at 7-0 and only need 1 win in their last 2 games to ensure that they will be the number one seed, as Phase 2
of this season begins in early July.

Next up are the Americans, Thursday night (6/21/18) at New Scotland.



-- Edited by mgirard11 on Friday 15th of June 2018 01:43:34 PM