With their backs against the wall, the Cubs turned to Jonny Martin to keep the Highlander bats at bay. Jon has always been a big game pitcher, and he came through in a big way once again. Mr. Martin gave up just one unearned run in the first inning and shut out the Highlanders the rest of the way in a complete game 2 hitter. The Highlanders jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Jon Martin got the first two batters and got the third to ground the ball to third base, but the ball was misplayed and John Kalinski followed with a sinking liner that was also misplayed to put runners on first and third wtih two outs. Kevin Jackson then singled sharply to drive in the games' first run. Jon Martin then gave up a walk to load the bases, but got the out he needed when he induced the next hitter to ground out to short. After that first inning, Jon got the Highlanders out in order for the next 4 innings. The Cubs didn't waste his efforts. They got two runs, in the top of the second, on consecutive one out singles by Tom Maney, Phil Gadomski, and Jonny Martin. Jim Mcquade knocked in the go-ahead run on a sacrafice fly to left. The third inning provided a little drama, when with runners on first and third and two outs, Mike Girard drove a long fly ball down the left field line. Noone was able to see where the ball hit due to the blazing sun just over the left field fence. Two runs were about to score when the umpire saw Lenny Rehbun pick up the ball at the base of the 310 sign. He mistakenly thought that the sign was in foul territory, and yelled foul ball. Once it was explianed to him that the sign was in fair he was still not inspired to change his call and the runners were made to go back. Kevin Jackson used the good fortune and struck Girard out on the next pitch. Inning over! The game remained a very tense 2-1 until the top of the sixth. Jim McQuade led off with a walk and immediately stole second base. Kevin Jackson looked like he would wriggle off the hook again when he coaxed a fly out to shallow center and a pop out to first. Then Shawn Maney got his third single of the game to drive in a very important insurance run. Randy Craft then reached on an error, and Mike Girard followed with a RBI single to make the score 4-1. Jon Martin did the rest, as he finished the game by shutting out the Highlanders in the sixth and seventh innings. The series is now tied at 1 game apiece and will be decided at New Scotland town park at 10:00 am Saturday morning. With the entire season on the line, Jim McQuade and the Cubs will be giving the baseball to Phil Gadomski. Mash is another big game specialist, and the Cubs are feeling good going into the deciding game with him on the hill!
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Friday 26th of August 2011 10:04:24 PM
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Friday 26th of August 2011 10:06:21 PM
