On a night where the Whiz Kids were playing for the number one seed, the Cubs looked happy to help them along the way.
The Cubs (away team for the third time in 3 games vs the Whiz) got a run, in the top of the 1st inning on a RBI single by Ron Lochner. However, they committed 4 errors, and walked the first two batters in the inning, to hand the Whiz a 5-1 lead, in the bottom half of the inning. The Whiz scored 5 runs with just one hit (a double by Bob Holmes). An appalling exhibition of defense!
The Whiz Kids picked up a 6th run, in the bottom of the 2nd, on a lead off single by Dennis Buckley, followed by a Shawn Martin single, moving Buckley to 3rd. Joey Burns' fielders choice plated the run, and the Whiz had a 5 run lead.
The Cubs cut that lead to 3 runs, on a 2 run double by Mike Girard, in the top of the 3rd. But the Cubs could not stand prosperity, as they surrendered another unearned run, in the bottom of the 4th, to make the score 7-3.
The Whiz bunched 4 hits, in the 5th inning, to plate 3 more runs, and make the final score 10-3. Mike Kane and Gene Hallenback set the table with one out singles, and Jimmy Preller plated two with a double, and Holmes plated the third run on a RBI single.
Mike Kane was brilliant, on the mound for the Whiz, going the whole way, scattering 8 hits, one walk, and one hit batter, while striking out 3. While they didn't play a perfect game defensively either, the Whiz got some stellar plays by Joey Burns in center field, and Shawn Martin, at third, to back Mike's effort on the bump.
The two teams head into the playoffs on different paths: The Whiz enter on a high note, losing just two games of the first 16 games, and the Cubs on a low note finishing the regular season at 7-8-1, losing 6 of their last 7, playing just awful defense in those 6 losses.
The good news for the Cubs: The slate gets wiped clean, as the real season starts on Monday, and all 6 teams enter with the same chance to take home the top prize. This is what we play the whole year for. Let's get it on!
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Friday 2nd of August 2019 08:42:51 AM
The Cubs are a very dangerous team. While I don't believe all six playoff teams can run the gauntlet to win the championship, I know that any team can beat you on any given day. Should be competitive and exciting.
For my money, the Giants are the team to beat until somebody comes along and (finally) beats them. Those guys play best when it matters most, always. I want to hate them but I just can't quite get there -- and I've tried!
Correction: That's Bob Holmes at 3B, not Shawn Martin.
Good luck all. Stay healthy, play hard, be kind (even to umpires), enjoy it.
Just saw a former teammate the other day. A great man who I deeply admire, he's doing chemo, lost 50 pounds, weakened and gray, fighting for his life.
Meanwhile, we go out and play baseball games.
-- Edited by JimmyP on Friday 2nd of August 2019 10:52:02 AM
