For the first time in team history, the Cubs are off to a 3-0 start with their 8-3 win over the previously undefeated Red Sox on 5/16!!
In a matchup of 2-0 teams, the Cubs went into Ashland and defeated the Red Sox 8-3. It was a very impressive
win for the Cubs and they continue to play great early season baseball.
Tom Barnes went the distance in this one and was very solid. Tom had to battle rough mound conditions and
walked three batters in the second inning before settling down and shutting down the potent Red Sox attack.
Tom allowed just 1 run and 3 hits through 7 innings. Understandably he tired a bit in the 8th and 9th giving
up 2 runs on 6 hits. However, the Cubs had built an 8-1 lead so the 8th and 9th inning runs were meaningless.
On defense, the Cubs continue to play the best early season baseball I can ever remember. There was just one
error recorded and that was on a tough play up the middle. Several nice plays were made. Tom made one of
his patented behind the back stabs of a shot up the middle to prevent a hit in the first inniog. Tim Shaver
was inserted into center field in the 4th inning and proceeded to make two nice catches in the inning, one a
shoestring catch on a sinking liner and the other a line drive to left center. Newcomer Roberto Valentin
had a nice day at short catching a couple pops in shallow left. Dennis Fontecchio also played short and made
a great play on a wicked smash at his feet in the 7th inning. Chris Ricker had a great game at third base,
looking as confident over there as ever, making every play look routine. The Cubs welcomed back Brad Adams
who was making his 2010 season debut. Brad had his typical solid game at first base.
The Cubs very often struggle against the veteran Red Sox starter, Steve Saraceno. However, the Cubs managed
to fight and claw for 8 runs on the day. It was a well balanced attack. Leadoff man Glenn D'Avanzo was
3-4 with a run and RBI. The 9, 10, 11 spots in the order, Chris Ricker, Dennis Fontecchio and Mark Grogan all
went 2-3 with several bullets. Ricker had a double and two runs scored while Dennis and Mark each drove in
a run and scored a run. The Cubs scored 2 in the first, 1 in the second and then were shut down through the
5th inning. In the 6th, it was still a tense 3-1 game and the Cubs dug down to get 1 run in th 6th, 1 in the
7th and 3 in the 8th. In the first, Glenn led off with a single to center and Rich Schwarz reached on a bunt
hit with Glenn goingt to third on an overthrow. Rich stole second. Glenn scored on a Paul Sonnett sac
fly to left, one of several bombs Paul hit on the day, who ended with only a double to show for it. Ken Hamm
delivered an RBI double to close out the first inning scoring. In the second inning, Ricker led off with
a double and Dennis singled him home. In the 6th, the Cubs loaded the bases with one out when Mark Grogan
singled, Brad walked and Glenn singled. Rich Schwarz nubbed a ball down the first baseline for an RBI
groundout. In the 7th, Roberto and Eddie reached on errors and Roberto scored on an groundout by Tom.
The 8th started off with consecutive line drive singles by Ricker, Dennis and Mark. Mark's single scored a
run and then an RBI groundout by Andy Luckhardt plated the second run of the inning. Glenn closed out the
scoring with an RBI single.