With 2010 being a celebration of old teammates getting back together, the Cubs were sure to have a good time during the season opener, regardless of the outcome.
Standing in the way were the defending champs.
The Cubs got off to a slow start as Lex Herlett kept them scoreless the first time through the line-up. The Yankees (Mets in 2009) meanwhile, scored three times in the top of the second to take an early lead.
The Cubs erupted for 4 in the bottom of the third on RBI's by Mike Girard, Andy Hoyle and two by Phil Gadomski. JJ Pearsall came on in relief of Lex to put out the fire.
In the top of the fifth, the Yankees got even on a long home run to right field by Pearsall, and with the Yankees ace looking in control on the mound, retiring all of the first four batters he faced, things were looking up for the Yanks!
The Cubs however roughed up the lefty in the bottom of the fifth for three runs, with three consecutive hits and two walks.
In the top of the sixth, Phil Gadomski came on in relief of Cubs starter, Ron Massaroni, who pitched five strong innings. The inning started well for "Mash" as he struck out the first two batters he faced, but the Yankees rallied with three hits an error and a walk to tie the game at seven.
In the top of the seventh, Gadomski gave up a one out single to Ryan Johnson, who promptly stole second. The base umpire then called a balk on Gadomski (for not coming to a complete stop), moving "Rhyno" to third with one out. With the pressure on, Mash got Tony Parella to pop out to the infield. With two outs, the Yanks' number 5 hitter hit a hump-back liner over shortstop that looked like it was going to fall in for the go-ahead run. It was not to be, as Jim McQuade rushed in and made a diving catch, just before the ball reached the ground. What a great catch!
The stage was set for the dramatic finish!
TJ Scorsone started the rally in the seventh with a sharp single off of Pearsall. Two pitches later, Yankees' catcher Ryan Johnson, tried to throw behind TJ at first, but the throw was off target and went down the right field line. Scorsone hustled and made it all the way to third. Jim McQuade then worked a walk to put runners on first and third, with one out. It didn't take long for Phil Gadomski to find a pitch he liked, as he lined the game winner right through the box and up the middle for the walk off RBI! CUBS WIN!
It was a great team win as there were truly contributions from every player in the line-up.
The game was followed by a Cubs "reunion cooler session".
Fun was had by all!!!

Side note: It seemed like the waste of a beautiful afternoon for New Scotland to sit idle for the rest of the day. Do we really have enough fields to have this marquis field to sit idle from 12:30pm on every Saturday? Shouldn't we be booking this field for a game for some division?



-- Edited by mgirard11 on Monday 3rd of May 2010 08:01:04 AM