The Cubs closed the 2009 regular season with a 12-5 win over the Indians on 8/16.
The Cubs ended the Indians season with a 12-5 victory in the regular season finale for both teams. The Indians
needed a win and a Tigers loss to get the 4th playoff spot in the AL, but the Cubs won the game. The Cubs
were hoping for a Dodgers loss which would have made the Cubs the second seed in the NL playoffs, but the
Dodgers won to claim the second seed.
Tom Barnes pitched the first 6 innings in very efficient fashion. He allowed 4 runs only 1 of which was
earned. He retired 10 batters in a row from the first to the 4th innings. Tom gave up 5 hits and had
3 strike outs and 3 walks to pick up the win. Chris Ricker pitched the next two innings and gave up one
run while allowing 3 runners. Chris looked very good after a long layoff. PJ O'Toole pitched a 1-2-3 9th
including a K to close out the game.
The Cubs defense had some shaky moments, but also made some huge plays. Glenn D'Avanzo made two great plays
at second on balls hit up the middle that he fielded and threw to first to nab runners. Brad Adams was his
solid self at first making several nice plays on potentially errant throws to get out or prevent runners
from getting free bases. The key play came in the 6th inning. The Cubs had held a comfortable 6-2 lead
entering the bottom of the 6th,
but the Indians had scored two runs to make the score 6-4 and had runners at first and second with two outs.
The cleanup hitter drove a ball to right center that Rich Schwarz managed to glove and preserve the 6-4 lead.
The Cubs took the momentum of the game from there and scored 6 runs in the top of the 7th to make it a 12-4
lead.
The Cubs scored 12 runs and while several balls were hit very hard, there were only 7 RBIs in the game as
the Indians defense committed a few critical errors which gave the Cubs runs. Tom Barnes hit the ball hard
all day and was 2-4, reaching by error once with a double and three runs scored. PJ O'Toole was Tom and Earl
Carpenter's courtesy runner on several occasions and scored the Cubs first run in the second inning with an
aggressive move from third on a passed ball just beating the throw to the covering pitcher. It was a key play
and cut the Indians lead to 2-1. The Cubs tied it in the top of the 3rd when Glenn reached by a walk with
two outs and no one on. Glenn scored when PJ hit a single to right and the right fielder threw the ball away
at third base. Brad Adams gave the Cubs a 3-2 lead they would not lose when he hit a 2 out RBI single. Brad
also doubled and scored to lead off the 6th inning. Matt Corkum
came late to help us have 9 guys as Earl (1-3 with a double) had to leave early. Matt contributed 2 singles
and a run and RBI. Tim Shaver and PJ had triples in the game.