Another group, that I am lucky to be a part of! This was the single most important day of the year for the Cubbies in their final 28+ campaign. The Nats are always the toughest competition for the Cubs for the all important playoff bye received for winning the Mohawk Division (no offense to the other 3 teams in the division). This year they seemed even more of a threat by signing perrenial Cub ace Jim Ansel in the off-season.
In game one, the Nats led off the first inning by plating four runs. With Ansel getting the start, the Cubs looked like they were in trouble, but they came right back with three runs in the bottom of the first. The key hit was a two-RBI single by 51 year old "Birthday Boy" Tom Maney.
Getting right back into contention in the bottom of the first was a huge mental boost for Cub starter, Tom Shepardson, who then shut down the Nats and allowed the Cubs bats to take control and win going away 9-4.
In game two, the two teams traded single runs through the first three innings. In the fourth, the Cubs again scored one run, but the Nats answered back with two runs to take a 5-4 lead. Again facing a tough situation, the Cubs responded immediately with 5 runs in the top of the fifth. With that support, Jon Martin held the Nats scoreless in the bottom of the fifth, and Steve Lounello kept the Nats bats quiet in the sixth and seventh, for a 9-5 triumph.
This double header sweep gives the Cubs an early 3-game lead on their fiecest rival, with a guarantee of winning the first tie-breaker (head-to-head record) should the teams end up in a tie.
Way to go old guys!!! The season is a long way from over, but this was a HUGE couple of victories for the 28+ senior citizens!!!