Mon 07/17/2000
The Cubs won their fifth straight 7-6 over the Cardinals. The Cubs won both
games over the Cardinals this season in their last at bat. The winning run
scored on an error by the Cardinals shortstop!
The Cubs won their 5th in a row in beating the Cardinals 7-6. This game was
close all the way, and the Cubs won it on their last at bat. The Cubs swept
the season series from the Cards 2-0 by scores of 10-9 and 7-6. In both games
the winning run was scored on the Cubs last at bat. The Cubs are now 5-0 in
National League games and 6-1 at home. The Cubs are just 2-3 on the road.
Earl Carpenter started the game and went 7+ strong innings for the Cubs. Earl
allowed just 3 hits through the first 7 innings! Earl ended up allowing 3
earned runs while collecting 8 Ks. Unfortunately, the Cards scored 3 runs
in the eighth inning to tie the game and Earl received a no decision. Tom
Barnes pitched the last two innings without allowing a run to pick up the
victory. Tom is now 5-0 on the season!
The defense had it's brilliant moments in this game. Dennis Fontecchio made
a nice play at short to gun down a runner at third on a soft liner. Matt Corkum
made a great catch deep down the line in left for the first out of the seventh.
On the very next batter, Andy Luckhardt playing second base, made a tremendous
over the shoulder running catch in right field. Tom Jette made a nice play
at third in the eighth to prevent the tying run by holding the runner at third
and throwing out the batter at first.
Offensively, the bottom of the order did the bulk of the damage. The most
amazing thing about this five game win streak is that different players have
been contributing each week. In this game, Matt Corkum was 3-3 and started
the ninth with a hit. Andy Luckhardt pinch ran for Matt and scored the winning
run from second when the Cardinals shortstop booted the potential last out. Andy
Luckhardt was huge at the plate going 2-3 and hitting a 2 run 2 out double in
the eighth to give the Cubs a 6-3 lead. Chris Greig was 1-1 with two walks.
Chris' one hit was a 2 run homer to left which tied the game at two in the
second inning. That key hit shifted the momentum in the game and it also came
with two out. The Cubs boxscore won't look too impressive, but they hit a lot
of shots right at people. The Cardinals leftfielder ended up with 7 putouts.
He also made a great catch on a Dennis Fontecchio bomb to left center that looked
like a sure double or triple in the first inning. Later that same inning, the
Cardinals right fielder threw out Eddie Murray at the plate who was trying to score
on a line drive single by Earl Carpenter. Tim Shaver laid down a beautiful
sac bunt in the eighth.