The Cubs overcame a 6-0 deficit using homers from PJ O'Toole and Paul Sonnett to beat the Cardinals 10-6 on 8/8 and clinch first place in the National League.
The Cardinals exploded for 6 runs in the top of the first inning when 8 of the first 9 batters reached base.
John Gordon relieved Chris Ricker and got a strike out and pop out with runners at first and third to close out the
first. Then John dominated for the next 6 innings allowing just 5 hits while picking up 9 strike outs. John gave the
Cubs a chance to rally and earned the win. PJ O'Toole came in and pitched the last two innings allowing 1 hit and no
runs to pick up the save.
The Cubs bats were alive today as they pounded out 15 hits to score 10 runs in 8 innings. There were doubles from
Ken Hamm and Dennis Fontecchio, a triple by Dan Gould in his first game of the season, and homers from PJ
O'Toole and Paul Sonnett. It was a fun game to be a part of!
The Cubs scored 2 in the first to close the early gap to 6-2 and managed to score 4 in the third to tie the game.
They scored 2 in the 5th to take the lead and scored single runs in the 6th and 8th for the 10-6 final. With one out
in the first, Rich Schwarz singled and reached second when John Gordon's hit was misplayed for an error. Paul Sonnett
ripped a single between short and third to score Rich and move John to second. Ken Hamm followed with an RBI single.
in the 3rd inning, PJ O'Toole lead the inning off with a bomb down the right field line for a homer. Dan Gould singled
and stole second. With one out, John Gordon had an RBI single. Paul Sonnett followed with a single and Ken Hamm then
stroked a laser just left of center that one hopped the wall for a 2 run double that tied the game. Ken was called out
trying to get home on a passed ball with two outs on what appeared to be a tough call. Mark Grogan and PJ led off the
5th with singles. Dan Gould drove them both in (the eventual game winning runs) with a triple to deep right center.
Dennis Fontecchio doubled and scored on a Matt Corkum two out single in the 7th. Paul Sonnett led off the 8th with a
homer over the left center field fence. It was the first time the Cubs have had two homers in a single game since
May 18, 2003 when the Cubs hit 3 homers in a single inning against the Yankees (now the Tigers).
I believe this is the first time the Cubs have ever won 13 of their first 14 games. The Cubs best regular season record
ever was 13-3 in 2007. In 2003, the Cubs won 12 straight games after losing the season opener but lost game 14 and
ended the season at 13-4. The Cubs have a double header versus the Braves next week. If they can win at least one of
those games it will make the Cubs finish at 14-2 which would be the best Cubs final record ever. If they can sweep
the double header, they will get to 15 wins for the first time ever and finish 10-0 against National League teams.