Sun 09/07/2003
The Cubs overcame an early 3-0 deficit to beat the Phillies 11-4 in the first round playoff game. The
Cubs scored 11 consecutive runs from the 3rd to the 6th inning and then cruised to victory. This marks
the 7th consecutive year the Cubs have advanced to the National League Championship Series!
This game was a bit scarier than the score indicates. The Phillies put a 3 spot on the board in the
second inning and lead 3-0 until the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, the Cubs scored
twice on an RBI single by Chris Greig and an RBI ground out by Will Lessard. Peter DiNatale led the
third off with a key single to give the Cubs momentum.
Earl Carpenter was huge, pitching 4 scoreless innings from the 4th to the 7th allowing the Cubs to
mount the comeback. Earl allowed just 2 runners in those 4 innings on a walk and a single while
striking out 3. The Cubs took
the lead with a 5 run 4th. The damage started with a single by Bruce Diaz and then consecutive bunts
by Andy Schultz and Rich Schwarz loaded the bases. Three consecutive run scoring singles by Glenn
Legault, Dennis Fontecchio and Eddie Murray scored 3 runs. A sac fly by Paul Sonnett drove in the 4th
run followed by a bomb double from Earl to drive in run 5 of the inning. The Cubs scored 4 more runs
in the 6th after 2 were out. Chris Greig singled and was at third with two outs when Bruce Diaz reached
on a critical error. Andy Schultz and Rich Schwarz followed with singles and Dennis Fontecchio drove
in two with a single. The bottom three batters in the order (Bruce Diaz, Andy Schultz and Rich Schwarz)
were 5-6 with an RBI and 6 runs scored!
Andy Schultz started and went three innings. Andy had to leave when he tweaked something in his right
leg. Earl pitched 4 great innings to pick up the win. Tom Barnes went the 8th and after a wild start
Tom picked up a double play and allowed just 1 run. Will Lessard and Chris Greig pitched a scoreless
9th to close out the game. On the day, Cubs pitchers allowed just 3 hits!
Andy Luckhardt made two great catches in center field to rob
Jeff Langan of two hits. Peter DiNatale turned a great double play in the 8th inning tagging the runner
moving to second and throwing to first. The Cubs defense did not commit an error the entire day!