Sun 05/07/2006
The Cubs lost a crazy game to the Braves, 10-9 on 5/7. The Cubs trailed 6-0 after 7 innings but
fought back with 5 in the 8th and 4 in the 9th to take a 9-6 lead. The Braves responded with
4 runs in the bottom of the 9th including a 2 out 2 run double to win the game 10-9.
What a game this one was! Amazingly, after scoring 26 runs the previous week, the Cubs were
trailing 6-0 after 7 innings in this game. But the never say die Cubbies roared back with 5 runs
in the top of the 8th and another 4 in the 9th to take a 9-6 lead. The Braves came back with a 2 out
2 run double however to win the game 10-9 in the bottom of the 9th.
Tom Barnes went the distance on the mound and deserved a better fate. Tom struck out 8 and allowed
3 unearned runs due to errors. Tom had to face extra hitters due to other plays not made.
The Cubs only had 4 baserunners in the first 7 innings. Everything changed in the last 2 innings.
Clutch hits in the 8th and 9th came from Luis Tiant who hit a three run double in the 8th, and Eddie
Murray who had 2 out RBI singles in both the 8th and 9th. Brad Adams led off both the 8th and 9th and
reached, once by a single and once by a walk. Chris Ricker singled in the 8th and doubled in the tying
run in the 9th. Mark Grogan followed Ricker's double with a single to drive home the go-ahead run.
Defensively, the Cubs have not reached mid season form yet. 5 errors were committed on the day and there
were some other plays that could have been made that weren't. However, there were some bright spots,
Mark Groagn played a solid left field battling a tough sun all day. Eddie Murray made a nice diving
catch of a liner in shallow right. Rich Schwarz threw out a runner at the plate from center in the
second. Paul Sonnett played his typical solid game behing the plate. Luis Tiant switched over to
short and made a nice play in the hole. Tim Shaver caught the first inning and then played a
flawless game at second the rest of the way.
Unfortunately, Peter DiNatale injured his shoulder while diving for a ball in the 2nd inning. The
Cubs battled the last 7 innings with just 9 players. It was a game Cubbies could be proud of.