Ron Massaroni pitched a gem in last night's elimination game, as the Giants beat the Cubs 11-2, to force
a one game playoff for the championship tonight, at 5:30 pm, at the A-Diamond in Schenectady.

Ron allowed just 8 hits and two walks, while striking out 2, in a complete game masterpiece. Coming into
the contest the Cubs bats were sizzling, but Ron set the tone for the night as he got the cubs in order in the first.
The Giants got two runs in the first and two more in the 3rd, and entered the top of the 4th, with a 4-0 lead.
The Cubs got 2 in the 4th, on a clutch two out single by Jim McQuade, plating Ron Lochner and Dave Mitchell.

The Giants would respond with a single run, in the bottom half, to push the lead to 5-2. The game was decided,
for all intents and purposes, in the top of the 5th, when the Cubs loaded the bases with 1 out, and had their 5-6-7 hitters coming to the plate.
Massaroni chose that moment to pitch the best that he had all night. He got Dave Mitchell on a fielder's choice, cutting down the runner at home,
and Andy Hoyle on a grounder to 1st, to end the threat and escape with his 3 run lead.
While that was the blow that rocked the Cubs' chances, the knock out blow was provided by the Giants potent offense, as they plated 4 more runs in the
bottom half of the inning, and the game was over at that point.

It was a remarkable effort by the Giants who were playing without Bob Murphy (injured in the Whiz game), and Mark Massaroni .
Most teams would fold under those types of circumstances, but not these Giants!
Bob Bolt was the consummate lead off hitter, as he was 2 for 2, with 2 walks, 3 stole bases, and scored 4 times!
Ron Smaka had 3 hits, and Darrell Duncan, Pete Geanellis, Ron Massaroni, and Jimmy Keegan all had two hits each.
Scott Ross was the only Cub to register two hits.

Tonight's finale will pit a rested Mike Girard on the mound, for the Cubs vs Darrell Duncan or Bob Bolt for the Giants.
It should be a great one! Come on out for the final Best Game of the Year!