Sun 08/27/2000
The Cubs won their first round playoff game over the Phillies 8-1. This was a
dominating pitching performance by Tom Barnes who allowed just 3 hits over
8 innings. The lone run scored in the 8th on a wild pitch. Pete DiNatale,
Tony Leary and Tom Jette all had good games at the plate.
What a great win for the Cubs! With the 8-1 win over the Phillies, the Cubs
advanced to the National League Championship series for the fourth consecutive
season! This was one of the most dominating wins of the entire season. Based
on the last two games, the Cubs are getting hot at the right time. The Cubs
have not allowed an earned run in either of the last two games, and only 1 run
overall that scored on a two out wild pitch. The next opponent will be the
Braves on 9/10 in a double header.
This game was won with great pitching, defense, timely hitting and aggressive
baserunning. Tom Barnes was unbelieveable giving up just three hits over
eight innings. Two of the three hits were weak, in infield chopper and a
bloop to shallow right. Tom also recorded 6 Ks. Chris Greig pitched a perfect
ninth to close out the playoff victory.
The Cubs always win with pitching and defense. The defense was splendid in
this contest. Eddie Murray made one of the best outfield catches of the
season in right field in the first inning to help set the tone of the game.
Eddie was playing shallow and the second batter ripped a hard shot to right.
Eddie raced back and made the over the shoulder catch with his back to the
plate. He also almost threw out the runner at first to turn the great catch
into a double play. Tim Shaver made a nice play turning a line drive into an
inning ending double play in the fifth. Dan Gould made a nice catch in center
field to end the game. Tom Jette made a few nice plays at third. Every week
Dennis Fontecchio has been getting better and he has become a great shortstop
for the Cubs. In this key playoff game, Dennis was flawless in the field
recording 5 assists and almost a sixth on a great play in the first inning.
Earl Carpenter caught and did a great job. Mark Grogan played first and had
many long stretches to help get outs.
The Cubs offense used their hits wisely and created runs with hustle on the
basepaths. Pete DiNatale had a great game going 2-2 with a double and a walk.
Pete created the first run in the third inning. With one out Pete singled
and stole second. Then with two outs and two strikes Pete stole third. The
throw went into shallow left and Pete beat the throw to the plate. The fourth
inning was a game breaker with a four run outburst. Package led off the inning with a
smash single up the middle. Package stole second and scored on Tom Jette's
huge single. Matt Corkum followed with a beautiful sac bunt that he almost
beat out. Then walks to Dan Gould and Eddie Murray loaded the bases for Earl
Carpenter who hit a run scoring infield single. Tom Barnes followed with the
killer blow, a two run single to left center. In the fifth, Mark Grogan got
to second on an error by the third baseman and scored on a double by Pete
DiNatale. That double missed being a homerun by a couple feet. In the sixth,
Package and Tom Jette delivered again. Package led off with an
HBP. An errant pick off attempt put Tony on third. Tom Jette followed with
a single to right to score Tony. Tom later scored the final Cubs run on a
Dennis Fontecchio ground out.