Sun 06/09/2002 Game 1
The Cubs beat the Yankees 7-1 in the first game of a double header. The game ended with the first
triple play in Cubs history. With runners on first and second in the bottom of the seventh, a liner
up the middle was snared by second baseman Peter DiNatale who stepped on second and threw to first to
complete the triple play. This was a scoreless game
through 4 innings when the Cubs put up 4 runs in the top of the fifth for the lead. Earl Carpenter
pitched a complete game 2 hitter and hit a two run homer in the seventh.
What a day for a couple Cubs today! Earl Carpenter was 5-5 with 7 RBIs 4 runs scored and an amazing
three homers! The entire Cubs team hit 3 homers in the 2000 season (2 by Earl) and none in 2001. Earl's
homers came in his last three at bats. Earl also threw a 7 inning complete game 2 hitter in game 1.
The other amazing feat of the day was the first triple play
in Cubs history was turned in the bottom of the seventh of game 1. With runners on first and second,
a liner was hit up the middle that second baseman Peter DiNatale made a nice catch on and continued
to step on second and throw to first to complete the rare play. Besides the triple play, the Cubs turned
3 double plays including a behind the back snare of a ground ball by pitcher Tom Barnes who fired to
Tim Shaver at second and then on to first. Tom Barnes pitched a 7 inning complete game in game 2 also
allowing just 1 run. The Cubs did not make an error in 14 innings of play today!