The Cubs won one of the craziest games ever, 14-13 over the Indians on 7/16.
The Cubs played very well for 7 of the 9 innings and very poorly for 2 of the 9 innings, but the final
result was a win. The game ended in a way that I've never seen before. The Cubs were up by a
run, but the Indians were mounting a comeback off Andy Schultz (2IP, 0 runs, win) with runners at first
and third and just 1 out (bad hop single and a clean single). The leadoff hitter was up and drives a
ball to right field that looks like a hit off the bat. Eddie Murray makes a nice catch on the liner
running to his left and then squares himself and fires a bullet strike to Paul Sonnett at the plate to
nail the runner trying to tag up by 10 feet, game over! Eddie's play could end up as the play of the
year.
After 4 the Cubs were in control, up 5-1. But they allowed 2 runs in the fifth, 6 in the sixth (on
just 1 hit), and then allowed 4 more in the seventh (on just 1 hit, yes 10 runs on 2 hits...).
As always though, the Cubs showed great resilience in battling back from that 13-8 deficit entering
the bottom of the seventh. They scored 4 in the 7th on 5 consecutive 2 out singles. They then
scored the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the 8th again with a 2 out single followed by a
run scoring double.
Several guys had big days at the plate with the Cubs stroking 22 hits. Dennis Fontecchio was 3-5
with an RBI (game tying 2 out single
in the 8th) and 2 runs scored. Dennis should have been 5-5 but was robbed on a diving play by the
second baseman and a great running catch in center. Luis Tiant was 3-5 with 2 doubles, 2 RBI (game
winner in bottom of 8th) and a run scored. In the 7th, Eddie Murray (2-4, RBI, run), Paul Sonnett
(2-4, RBI, 2 runs), Ken Hamm (2-4, double, RBI, 2 runs), Brad Adams (2-4, RBI, run) and Tim Shaver
(4-4, 2 RBIs, 2 runs) had those 5 consecutive 2 out singles. Chris Ricker (3-4, 2 RBIs, 1 run) had
a huge 2 out, 2 strike, 2 RBI double in the 6th to make the score 9-8 and led off the decisive 8th
with a single.
Tom Barnes started and went the first 5 innings allowing 3 runs on 6 hits with 4 Ks and 2 walks.
Paul Sonnett also made a great diving catch of a bunt attempt down the third base line in the 7th.