The Cubs scored 4 in the botton of the 8th to win 8-6 over the Tigers on 8/1.
This was the first game since the amazing 2009 League Championship series victories over the Orioles that
the Cubs overcame a deficit in their final at bat to win the game. This was a pretty crazy game against
a strong Tigers club. This was exciting a win as you can have in the regular season!
With two outs and a runner at first, the Cubs exploded for 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th to turn a 6-4
deficit into an 8-6 win. The key hits being Tom Barnes 2 run single to tie the game (Dennis Fontecchio had
a two out single to put runners at first and second) and Tim Shaver's RBI triple
to score the go ahead run. Tim scored the final run when the throw to the infield on his triple eluded
everyone.
The Cubs went ahead 1-0 in the first, but the Tigers scored 2 in the second, on a
two run homer to left center, and 2 more in the third to take a 4-1 lead. The Cubs squandered a bases loaded
one one situation in the 3rd before picking up a run in the 4th to make it a 4-2 game. The Tigers scored
2 more times in the 6th though with two out base hits to make it a 6-2 game. The Cubs scored single runs
in the 6th and 7th to make it 6-4 and set up the dramatic 8th inning rally.
Tom Barnes started and went the distance allowing 3 earned runs and 7 hits. Tom did not get the best defense
behind him on the day and allowed 3 unearned runs. Tom was key in shutting down the Tigers for the final 3
innings which allowed the Cubs to scratch back into the game. Tom actually had a 1-2-3 9th on the 4, 5 and
6 hitters to cap off the exciting win!
This was the first time all year the Cubs had more than 2 errors in a game. It has been one of the constants
for this amamzing season, we've been playing great D all year. We were a little flat on defense today, but still
made some nice plays. Alex Scott robbed the first batter of the game in the shortstop hole coming up with a tough
one hooper way to his right and throwing a strike to just get the batter. Dennis Fontecchio made several nice
stops at third and had a solid game. Paul Sonnett threw out a runner trying to steal second in the 6th. Tom made
a nice play on a bunt to nail the runner trying to get to second.
Dennis Fontecchio was 3-4 on the game with 3 singles an RBI and 2 runs scored. Tom Barnes had 2 singles and 2 RBIs.
Andy Luckhardt had 2 singles and an RBI. The Cubs scored in the first on a two out RBI single by Dennis Fontecchio.
They scored in the 4th when Tom Barnes and Tim Shaver had one out walks. With two outs, Andy Luckhardt had the clutch
RBI single. In the 6th, the Cubs had one out singles from Dennis and Tom. Tim Shaver hit a deep fly ball to right
center for a sac fly. However, the Cubs runner was thrown out at third on the play to end the inning. Brad Adams
led off the 7th with a walk and Andy Luckhardt singled Brad's pinch runner, Alex Scott, to third. On the standard
first and third steal play, Andy was called out at second on a ghost tag, but Alex scored the 4th run of the game for
the Cubs. The exciting 8th inning did not get a very promising start with a 1-3 out, a HBP for Rich Schwarz, and then
a pop to third. It got very exciting from there though. Dennis Fontecchio singled Rich to second. Tom Barnes put
on a great at bat with several foul balls to work the count full. With the runners off with the pitch, Tom delivered
a line drive to right center to plate Rich and Dennis and tie the game at 6. Then Tim Shaver followed with a wicked
hooking triple deep down the right field line to plate Tom with the go ahead run. Tim ended up scoring on the
play when the throw into the infield eluded everyone and came to rest at the visitor dugout fence.
The Cubs welcomed a new player to the team today, Jeff Cullen. Welcome Jeff!