Sun 07/28/2002
The Cubs won their second straight game in a thrilling 2-0 win over the Mariners. This may have been
the Cubs finest game of the season. Andy Schultz pitched no hit ball for three innings before leaving
the game for failing to slide into home plate on a close play in the bottom of the third. Andy was
trying to score from first on a two out double by Brian Egan. Earl Carpenter came in and completed
the shutout with six innings of three hit ball! The Cubs did not commit an error all game long, and
Bruce Sher made a great play behind third base to end the fifth inning. There was also a 5-4-3 double
play to end the eighth, Matt Finnegan to Bruce Sher to Chris Greig. Earl Carpenter also picked off
a Mariner runner at second base in the seventh inning. The Cubs allowed just 5 Mariners to reach base
the entire game! Offensively, the Cubs only had seven hits, 2 by Dennis Fontecchio, a single by Andy
Schultz, a booming double by Brian Egan, a single by Rich Schwarz, a single by Tom Barnes and the
decisive hit, a two out two run single by Brad Adams in the fifth. Brad's hit drove in Earl who
reached on a fielders choice and then stole second and third, and Tim Shaver who reached on a walk
and stole second.
In the Cubs best pitching and defensive display of the season led to the 2-0 victory over the Mariners.
The Cubs incredibly allowed just 3 singles and 5 Mariners to reach base in the entire 9 inning game.
On top of that, the Cubs still managed to turn a 5-4-3 double play and pick a runner off second base.
The Cubs last 9 inning shutout came against the Brewers on 8/19/2001. The only two runs scored the
entire game came from a two out two strike single by Brad Adams in the bottom of fifth inning. Brad's
hit scored Earl Carpenter and Tim Shaver. Dennis Fontecchio had two of the Cubs seven hits in this game.
The defense was flawless today, not a single error committed. Bruce Sher was very busy, making a great
play to rob a hit from behind the third base bag on a hard hit grounder, making the turn on the 5-4-3
double play and tagging out the Mariner runner on the pickoff at second base.