The Cubs and Pirates got together at New Scotland Town Park, to beat the rain drops and avoid having to schedule another rain out make up.
The Cubs were coming off a tie (Yankees) and a loss (Giants), in their last two games. They got off to a quick start, with 3 runs in the bottom of the first inning, with a little help from 3 Pirate errors. Paul Miles led off the inning with a double over the left fielder's head and Dave Mitchell added a RBI single, in the frame.
The Cubs plated two more runs in the second. Ralph Caputo, Jim McQuade, Mike Girard, and Dave Mitchell had singles, and Ron Lochner added a sacrifice fly, in the rally.
After a quiet 3rd inning, the Cubs were back at it, adding 2 more runs, in the bottom of the 4th inning. Ron Lochner's single, and Mitchell's 2-RBI double were the big blows in the inning.
Meanwhile, Mike Girard and the Cubs defense had a solid performance. Girard faced only two batters over the minimum, in recording his first no hitter. He walked none while striking out 6, in the 7-inning, complete game effort. The Cubs defenders made all of the plays behind their pitcher, including a fine running catch by Jerry Rosen, in right field, on one of only two balls that made it to the outfield all night long, vs the Cubs' starter.
This was just what the doctor ordered, for the Cubs who kicked the ball around a bit in their last game against the Giants.
Next up for the Cubbies, is the always tough, and undefeated Whiz Kids, next Tuesday night at New Scotland. It should be a good one!
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 5th of June 2019 08:45:11 AM
Congrats on the no-no, Mike. Pirates much improved with lots of quality additions, and, you had to get through Tom Maney, who has pretty much owned you the past several years! Nice job. jk
