The Cubs and Marlins met Friday night @ New Scotland Town Park for what proved to be a classic match up between two of last year's Final Four teams. Ron Massaroni took the hill for the Cubs and Phil Gadomski accepted the challenge for the Fish. The Marlins plated one run in the top of the second on a RBI single from Jim Ansel and another run in the top of the fourth on a RBI groundout by Jim Ansel. The Cubs evened the score with two in the bottom of the fourth on an errant throw on a double play attempt and a RBI single by Dan Ryan. The Marlins again took the lead with a RBI single by Paul Miles in the top of the sixth, but the Cubs didn't let the Marlins enjoy the lead for long as they plated the tying run on a two-out RBI single by Bobby Lane in the bottom half of the inning. The Marlins threatened in the top of the seventh, but the threat was extinguished when Ron Massaroni picked off the Marlins runner at second base. Darnell Baker came on in relief of Gadomski in the bottom of the seventh and struck out two Cubbies and got a weak grounder to put the game into extras. The Fish rally in the top of the eighth started with one out. Paul Miles started it with his third single of the game. He stole second, and advanced to third on an error. Randy Craft then bounced a ball in the hole between third and short. TJ Scorsone came up with the grounder and threw home just in time to nail Miles at the plate. This left Craft on first with two out. Mike Girard then singled Craft into scoring position. ENTER RON LOCHNER! Fresh off two game winning hits in the last three games, Lochner came to the plate sumpremely confident. Bolstered by that confidence, he ripped a sharp single into right center that scored Craft. The Cubs right fielder gave an all out effort to get the ball before it reached the ground, and that effort allowed the ball to get by enabling Girard to score all the way from first. With the Marlins leading 5-3, Darnell Baker retired the first two Cubs batters in the bottom of the eighth. The Cubs didn't become defending champs by giving in, when the chips were down. Jim McQuade and Bryce Cutler singled to put the tying run on first and bringing Sean Maney to the plate with the go-ahead run. Sean lifted a long fly ball to right that looked like trouble for the Marlins when it left the bat. However, this was not right fielder John Reel's first rodeo. He was playing very deep to make sure that no ball got over his head with the tying run on first. This positioning allowed him to track down the drive and end the game. INSTANT CLASSIC!!!
The game was followed by a picnic at which the Cubs and Marlins got together and enjoyed the many friendships that exist between the two teams. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the start of Memorial Day weekend.
Side note: Ron Massaroni was the Goldstock's-Annaconda-Dick's player of the game breaking six Marlins bats during the game. He single handedly is a Sportoing Goods Store stimulus package.
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Saturday 23rd of May 2009 11:22:49 AM
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Saturday 23rd of May 2009 11:23:54 AM
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Saturday 23rd of May 2009 11:24:43 AM
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Saturday 23rd of May 2009 11:25:52 AM
It was an exciting night, and a great ballgame. Ronny Lochner is having an MVP season.
Thank-you Martina for organizing the post game barbecue. There were about 40 friends and family enjoying each others company on a gorgeous night at the park.
Thank-you Lori, for insisting Ron play on your 27th wedding anniversary. Next time Cubs play the Marlins on a Lochner anniversary, may I suggest a romantic dinner that night. On me damn it :)
It was a great night, and it's what make our league so special.
With Mike Girard as the manager (with John Reel in his ear) and Jim McQuade as the other manager no doubt this was an instant classic with 2 of the best managers to have ever stepped foot in CDMSBL. I can't even count the amount of wins or titles that both these managers have. 2 of the best teams or "franchises" ever assembled.
