The Cubs 2006 season ended with a 10-4 loss to the Braves on 9/10.
The Cubs had a good season that ended to early in the first round of the playoffs. The Braves used
a 7 run third inning to erase a 3-0 deficit and then rolled the rest of the way.
Cubs starter Tom Barnes pitched well, but was unable to escape the big third inning when a couple
bad bounces that eluded Cubbie infielders turned the momentum of the game. Tom went 5 and a third
and then Ken Hamm finished the game. Ken did not allow any runs.
The Cubs offense was led by Earl Carpenter who was 2-2 with a HBP, 2 doubles and RBI and a run scored.
The clutch hit was delivered by Chris Ricker with 2 outs on the second who singled home 2 runs to extend
the Cubs lead to 3-0. In the top of the third the Cubs had the bases full with 2 outs and Paul Sonnett
smoked a sinking liner down the third base line that the Braves outfielder made a great play on. That
hit would have scored at least 2 runs and was a game changer. Instead of a 5-0 lead or more, the Cubs
led just 3-0 and the Braves responded with a 7 run bottom of the third.
The last defensive play of the season was a gem in the bottom of the 8th. Eddie Murray caught a line
drive in right and the threw a strike to Luis Tiant at third beating the runner trying to tag from
second for a great double play.