Two teams that are used to scoring double digit runs regularly, got together at the A-diamond, and a pitcher's duel ensued.
Bob Bolt pitched 5 solid innings for the Giants, and got perfect relief help from Jerry Solomon and Ron Massaroni. Bobby gave up 4 runs in the first two innings, but only 1 run was earned. The Cubs got 4 hits in those two innings but 4 critical errors were mainly responsible for 3 of the 4 runs. The Cubs got an RBI ground out from Randy Craft (visiting from God's waiting room), and a RBI single from Jim McQuade.
From that point on Bolt settled in. He would only give up two singles and two walks in the next 3 innings, while keeping the Cubs from doing further damage. Jerry Solomon faced the minimum 3 batters in his one inning of relief in the 6th, and Ronnie Massaroni got the Cubs in order in the top of the seventh.
Meanwhile, Mike Girard was cruising through the first six innings, limiting the Giants potent order to just two Tom Maney singles and two walks. The Cubs defense was outstanding behind Girard turning some solidly struck balls into outs. The best play of the night was a Jim McQuade sliding catch on a sinking liner to left. With the temperature in the mid 90's for the game,the question was would Girard tire and allow a Giants comeback.
The 7th inning started with Jerry Rosen making a good play on a hard grounder by Bob Murphy. With one out, Bob Bolt singled as Rosen made a diving stop at first, but Bolt hustled all of the way and beat Girard to first for an infield single. Steve Lounello followed with a single to left, moving Bolt to third with one out. Girard got Darrell Duncan to ground out to second base, and Bolt scored on the play. Withe the score now 4-1 and two outsGirard was able to induce a grounder to SS Randy Craft, and the Cubs came away with a 4-1 victory.
The victory moves the Cubs record to 10-0, and the loss drops the Giants to 6-3.
Next up for the Cubs is the Yankees, next Tuesday night at the C-diamond. Next up for the Giants is a meeting with the Whiz Kids next Monday night at New Scotland.
A great game to be a part of for sure, but the game didn't end quite that way. Not that it's a big deal, but Duncan's laser heading toward left-center was snared by Crafty moving a step to his right to end the game.
The previous batter grounded to 2nd for the second out.
We still lost and as always look forward to getting together with that very talented group again. Girard did a heckuva job building that roster.
