The Cubs won their first 55+ playoff game by a score of 8-4 in 5 innings, Monday night at Watervliet High School. The Cardinals only had 9 players available at game time, and had to pitch an inexperienced Tim Vickerson.
With that said, they did a great job of making this a competitive game. The Cubs jumped out to a 5-0 lead after 3 innings, and led 6-1 after 4, but the Cards staged a comeback in the top of the 5th inning. Vickerson and Mike Ferraro started the rally with consecutive singles with just one out. Clay Bouton walked to load the bases. Bert Myers then grounded the ball to SS, and the Cubs SS (some hack by the name of Girard) threw the ball over everything at first, and the Cards pulled to within 6-3, with men on 2nd and 3rd, and one out. Cubs starter, Scott Ross got a slow roller to third, and Ralph Caputo charged hard and made a strong throw to first, to get the second out, as the 4th Cardinals run scored. John Sheehan was then hit by a pitch, and Ross filled the bags again, with a walk to Harold Jenkins. This brought in Mike Girard for the Cubs, in relief of Ross. Girard got the last out, with just one pitch, inducing a grounder back to the mound.
With the lead being pared down to just a slender two runs, the Cubs came to bat in the bottom of the 5th. With one out, Al Williams beat out an infield single, and Skip Treece followed with a solid line drive single to left. Scott Ross grounded into a fielder's choice, leaving runners on 1st and 3rd, with two outs. Paul Miles walked to load the bases. Girard followed with a bloop to center that fell in, and plated two big insurance runs. Dave Mitchell followed with a walk to reload the bases. Jerry Rosen then hit a sinking liner to center that looked like it would plate two more runs, but the Cardinals centerfielder (Jerry will have to fill in the name), made a diving catch to save the day, and hold the score to 8-4.
Darkness ensued and the game was suspended at this point. Due to the amount of travel involved to finish the last two innings, the Cardinals decided to concede the game and live to fight another day.
Mike Ferraro led the way for the Cardinals, with 2 singles, a walk, a run scored and a stolen base. Mike Girard was 2 for 3 for the Cubs, with 4 RBI's, 2 stolen bases, and a run scored. Paul Miles stayed hot with a double, single, walk, 1 RBI, and a run scored. Scott Ross reached base all 3 times and scored 3 runs. Jerry Rosen added two hits and 1 RBI for the Cubs.
The Cubs advance to Thursday's winner's bracket game vs the winner of the Giants/Twins game, which will be concluded this evening (2 innings left with the Giants leading 9-5). The game between the two winners will be played at the A-Diamond at 5:45 pm on Thursday.
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 15th of August 2018 02:06:36 PM
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 15th of August 2018 02:06:58 PM
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 15th of August 2018 02:09:35 PM
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 15th of August 2018 05:06:00 PM
