Sun 09/20/2009, League Championships, Game 1
The Cubs scored two runs in the top of the 9th to beat the Orioles 4-3 in game one of the League Championships.
The Cubs beat the Orioles 4-3 in the first game of the League Championships on 9/20.
The Cubs had one of the most thrilling wins in the history of the franchise on 9/20/09. There was the 14-13
win over the Phillies in the first round of the playoffs in 2002 when the Cubs scored 3 times in the bottom
of the 9th for the win. Then there was the amazing 7-6 win over the Braves in that same season. The Cubs
had lost the first game of the NLCS to the Braves and were down 6-3 in the bottom of the 9th of the
elimination game 2, but rallied for 4 runs in the 9th to win the game and force a game 3 which the Cubs won.
This game however, was the best finals comeback yet. The Cubs were down 3-0 after 4 innings. John Gordon
came in to pitch the last 5 innings and allowed just one hit, retiring the other 15 batters he faced in a
tremendous outing. The Cubs scored single runs in the 6th and 7th to make it a 3-2 Orioles lead. The
Cubs then scored twice in the top of the 9th to win the game!
The Cubs defense did not commit an error in the game. While there were no major web gems, the defense was
very good. In particular, the left side of the Cubs infield, Alex Scott and PJ O'Toole had great games.
Alex had 6 assists and two catches including a nice over the shoulder to the first batter of the game.
The Cubs had 8 hits in this one, 2 by John Gordon and 2 by PJ O'Toole. They were held scoreless until the
6th when PJ led off with a single and then after an out, Tom Barnes reached on an error at third. Chris
Ricker (who was 1-1 with a sac bunt and HBP) followed with a single to left to plate PJ and start the Cubs
comeback. In the 7th, John Gordon led off with the best hit ball of the day by either team. John hit a
bullett to left field that one hopped the wall for a double. John reached third after a critical passed ball.
with one out and two strikes, Ken Hamm brought John home with an RBI groundout to second. The Cubs went 1-2-3
in the 8th and entered the 9th trailing 3-2. Earl Carpenter had a huge leadoff walk on a 3-2 pitch. It was
the only walk allowed all day by the Orioles pitcher. PJ O'Toole ran for Earl. Tom faked a bunt and swung
away while PJ was stealing second and hit a grounder to the vacated shortstop area that went for a hit. Chris
Ricker laid down a great sac bunt to put runners at second and third with one out. Rich Schwarz followed with
a bunt hit to tie the game and move the runner to third. Alex Scott delivered the eventual winning run with a
sac fly to center. What a great comeback win!