Sun 06/29/2003
6/29 was perhaps the best game the Cubs have played in the 2003 season. The Cubs beat the Braves
6-0 to run their winning streak to 5 games. They have outscored their opponents 60-8 during the
winning streak. Earl Carpenter was incredible today, going the distance for a 3 hit shutout. Earl
took a no hitter into the 7th. The defense was outstanding with several great plays. The offense
was quiet for 6 innnigs, but exploded for 6 runs in the 7th inning. A great bunt by Bruce Diaz
and a bases loaded double by Glenn Legault were key moments in the inning.
The Cubs picked up their 5th straight win with a 6-0 victory over the Braves. As always with the Cubs,
solid pitching and defense was the key. During their 5 game winning streak, the Cubs have beaten their
opponents 60-8! Over those 5 games, that's an average victory of 12-2.
The Cubs had another maeterpiece from Earl Carpenter as he pitched a complete game 3 hit shutout. Earl
took a no hitter into the 7th and had the no-no broken up with an infield single. Earl only had three
jams the entire game. In the 5th, the Braves got runners on second and third with two outs. Earl picked
up one of his 3 Ks there to get out of the 5th. In the 7th, Earl gave up a walk and single to put
runners on first and third with two outs. A flyball to center ended that threat. In the 8th, the Braves
loaded the bases with two outs, but a ground ball to third finished off that inning. Earl had a 1-2-3
ninth and ended the game with a strikeout!
The defense was great today. Peter DiNatale made a great play to rob Steve Smith of a single leading
off the second inning. Peter snared a hot one hopper up the middle and threw out the runner. In the
fourth with runners on first and second and one out, a ground ball to Dennis at short started an inning
ending 6-4-3 double play with Peter making the great mid air turn while avoiding the slide. First baseman Brad
Adams made a couple nice hustle catches on pop-ups. Andy Luckhardt was solid in left with three catches
by the fifth inning. The game turning play ended up being a diving catch in center by Rich Schwarz. The
Braves had their leadoff man reach and their leadoff hitter up. The diving catch seemed to deflate the
Braves and pump up the Cubs who went on to score 6 runs in the bottom of the seventh.
The offense was more quiet than usual as the Braves starter held the Cubs in check for 6 innings. The
Cubs managed a first and third threat with 2 outs in the second on a Paul Sonnett single and a HBP for
Tom Barnes. Tom took that pitch off his pitching elbow and the July 4th break couldn't come at a better
time for Tom. The Cubs also had a second and third threat in the fifth as Eddie Murray reached on an
error and Earl Carpenter singled. The 7th inning was the key inning though as the Cubs scored 6 runs
to break open a 0-0 game. The inning started out with walks to Andy Luckhardt and Chris Grieg. Both
Cubbies worked the count full before walking. Then a critical at bat took place. Bruce Diaz laid
down a perfect sacrifice bunt. The bunt rolled down the third baseline on the chalk! It rolled all
the way on the chalk and stopped 2 feet in front of third base. That loaded the bases with no outs.
Then Andy Schultz hit the ball to short that scored the first run. The Braves threw the ball away at
the plate, so the bases were still full with no outs and 1 run home. After a shallow fly to left,
Glenn Legault broke open the game with a bomb of a double to left center making the score 3-0. Dennis
Fontecchio hit a ball to short and the catcher misplayed the ball allowing two runs to score and Dennis
to reach second. Eddie Murray followed with a run scoring single to end the 6 run barrage.