For the first time since the 2006 season, the Cubs have won their openig day game!!
Interestingly, the last opening day win in 2006 happened to also be against the Indians. The Cubs beat the
Indians in an exciting 2-0 game. This was one of the most well played opening day games in Cubs history.
The Cubs were out hit 5-4 in the game and the Indians had men on third with less than two out 3 times while
the Cubs didn't have men on third with less than two outs even once, but still managed to pull the game out.
The 4 Cubs pitchers were fantastic. Tom Barnes started and threw three innings allowing 2 hits and two walks
and stranding men at third in the second and third innings. Tom pitched around a leadoff triple in the second
with two Ks and then a pop to third. In the third, the Indians had runners at first and third with one out
when Tom picked off the runner at first and then got the last out on another pop to third. Johm Gordon
went the next two innings and was not in mid season form yet but picked up the win. John allowed 2 hits and
a walk and also hit the first batter he faced. However, John escaped a second and third with one out situation
by getting a strike out and a 1 - 3 grounder. John struck out 4 Indians in his two innings. PJ pitched three
innings and was completely dominant facing just 9 batters whikle collecting 3 strike outs. PJ gave up a
leadoff nubber hit in the 8th and induced a double play grounder to short to the next batter. Chris Ricker
pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up the save.
The pitching was awesome on the day so the defense did not need to make too many stellar plays. However, for
the first time I can ever remember the Cubs played errorless baseball on opening day. Paul Sonnett kicked
things off by throwing out the third batter of the game from stealing second with a perfect throw on the bag.
Chris Ricker applied the tag. We already mentioned Tom's pickoff in the 4th inning with runners at first and
third. Ken Hamm did a nice job at first getting Tom's throw and then throwing to Ricker at second to get the
out. Dennis made a great play in the shortstop hole and threw out the leadoff batter in the 7th which was a
huge play at the time with the Indians cleanup hitter coming up. The Cubs turned the nice 6-4-3 double play
in the 8th, Dennis to Ricker to Ken.
Offensively, the Cubs were stymied by the Indians pitching. In 4 of the 8 innings, the Cubs had only three
batters and they hit into 2 double plays and had a caught stealing. They had 10 runners on 4 hits, 4 walks
and 2 HBP. The two runs scored in teh 4th inning. There were 2 outs and no one on base with the Indians
starter throwing a no hitter. Rich Schwarz hit a single to center and stole second. Rich went to third on
a wild pitch and John Gordon walked. John stole second to set up Paul Sonnett. Paul ripped a bomb to left
center for a two strike two out two run double. Chris Ricker had a hit and was hit by a pitch. Earl Carpenter
picked up the other hit. PJ O'Toole hit two balls very well that Indian outfielders caught. John walked twice
and Ken and PJ picked up the other walks.