Sun 08/25/2002
The Cubs beat the Phillies 14-13 in the first round playoff game in one of the most exciting
playoff wins in Cubs history! This marks the sixth consecutive year the Cubs will go to
the National League Championships. The Cubs held leads of 9-1 and 10-3 early on, but fell behind 13-11
in the 7th inning. The score stayed that way to set up the dramatic three run game winning outburst
in the bottom of the ninth. Chris Greig led off the ninth with a bomb of a homer on a two strike pitch.
Mike Cox followed with a walk and Dan Gould hit into a fielders choice to force pinch runner Peter
DiNatale at second. After Dan stole second, Bruce Sher hit a game tying RBI double. Eddie Murray
concluded the incredible comeback with a line drive single to right to drive in Bruce! The three run
bottom of the ninth was the greatest last inning comeback playoff victory in Cubs history!
The Cubs won the right to go to the National League Championship Series with a dramatic 14-13 last
inning win over the Phillies. The Cubs trailed 13-11 entering the bottom of the ninth but scored 3
runs to win 14-13. The Cubs will now face the Braves in the National League Championship series on 9/8.
Earl Carpenter was the starter and retired the first 6 Phillies in order. Some shoddy defense helped
the Phillies get a run in the third and two in the fourth off Earl. Tom Barnes pitched a scoreless
6th inning. The pitching performance of the day was turned in by Andy Luckhardt who faced 8 Phillie
batters and retired all of them, 4 via the K. Andy entered with the bases loaded in the top of the 7th
and only one out. The Phillies were already leading 13-11. Andy struck out the next two batters and
allowed the Cubs to stage the dramatic 9th inning rally.
On offense, the Cubs had 19 hits and batted .422 as a team! The top three members of the order devasted
the Phillies pitchers. Dan Gould was 2-4 with 3 runs scored and a double. Bruce Sher was 3-4 with 3 runs
scored and 2 RBIs and a double. Eddie Murray was 3-3 with 3 RBIs. The combination was 8-11 with 7 runs
scored and 6 RBIs! They also played key roles in the bottom of the ninth rally. Chris Greig had one
of the best games of his Cubs career going 2-3 with a double, homer and 2 runs scored. Tom Barnes, Dennis
Fontecchio and Andy Luckhardt were all 2-3. Brad Adams delivered a key 2 run single in the second inning
and Tim Shaver chipped in with a triple and walk.