The Cubs 2008 season started with a very exciting extra-inning 9-8 loss against the Red Sox.
By and large the Cubs played a very good game for week 1 against the Red Sox. Unfortunately they came
up just a bit short. The Cubs led 4-0 after 3 innings, but the Red Sox scored 3 in the 4th and 6th
innings to take a 6-4 lead. The Cubs tied it with 2 in the 7th and scored single runs in the 8th and
9th for an 8-6 lead. The Red Sox scored two in the bottom of the 9th to tie, the last run scoring
on a two strike two out single to center.
Tom Barnes started and gave up 3 runs through 5 innings. Bill Bracken gave up 3 runs in 2 innings and
John Gordon took the loss.
Offensively, the Cubs pounded out 14 hits. Paul Sonnett had 3 hits with an RBI and run scored. PJ
O'Toole had 2 hits including a booming 2 out triple to score the tying run in the 7th inning. Dennis
Fontecchio had 2 hits and 2 runs scored including a double. Rich Wenning had an RBI double in the
7th and scored two runs. Chris Ricker had a huge 2 out 2 RBI single in the 2nd inning among his
two hits. Tim Shaver was 2-4 with 2 singles. Brad Adams and Rich Schwarz both laid down successful
sac bunts which helped lead to runs in the 8th and 9th innings.
Tom Barnes made the most sparkling/lucky play of the game defensively knocking down a big one hopper
up the middle with his back turned to the plate. Another huge play was in the 4th inning. The Red
Sox had their leadoff hitter on first and the next batter drilled a bomb off the left field fence.
Tim Shaver made a strong relay throw to short and PJ O'Toole threw a bullet to Brad Adams at the mound.
Brad relayed to Paul Sonnett to gun down the runner for a huge out. Rich Wenning had a solid game
at third with 4 assists. Paul Sonnett made a nice catch of a popup in foul territory up the third
baseline.