Sun 07/15/2001
The Cubs lost a great chance to get back to .500 by losing to the Cardinals 6-5 in heartbreaking fashion.
The Cubs played an exciting game scoring the tying run in the top of the ninth only to have the Cardinals
score a run in the bottom of the ninth to win.
By looking at the box score and watching this game, it's hard to imagine how the Cubs lost this game. The
Cubs out hit the Cardinals 11 to 5 and the Cardinals made 6 errors to the Cubs 3. The Cardinals managed to
make more of the few opportunities they had and scored a clutch run in the bottom of the ninth to win 6-5.
Andy Schultz went the first five innings and looked strong. He allowed 3 runs, 2 of which came in the
first inning. Andy allowed just 3 hits and really cruised after the first inning. Earl Carpenter went
the rest of the way and was overpowering. He allowed just two hits. However, Earl took the loss after
giving up the ninth inning run.
Another beautiful double play was turned in this game making it 9 double plays in the last 4 games for the
Cubs. This one was 5-4-3, Kujo to Shaver to Grogan. Earl made a nice catch against the fence on a foul
ball. The Cubs also executed a great rundown play with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh. A wild
pitch bounced all the way back to the plate that forced the Cardinal runner to stay at third. However, the
runner on first was better than half way to second. Paul Sonnett alertly threw the ball to Tom Barnes at
first who ran the trapped runner to second and forced the runner at third to break to the plate. Tom got
that runner in a rundown and the Cubs tagged him out for a huge second out.
The Cubs offense was paced by Bruce Sher who collected 3 more hits to bring his season average to .600!
Paul Sonnett collected two hits in his first game in the third spot of the order. Dan Gould had two hits
including a clutch leadoff single in the ninth with the Cubs trailing by a run. Dan proceeded to steal
second and move to third on a ground out. Dan scored the tying run when Paul Sonnett reached on an error
by the shortstop. Tim Shaver had an RBI single to left in the fourth inning.