The Yankees and Cubs got together Tuesday night @ Kuhn filed for a playoff tune-up. Both teams gave their number one starters their final start in the regular season. The Yankees starter, JJ Pearsall, was looking to avenge his only loss on the hill in 2010 versus the Cubs back in the first game of the season. JJ got the Yanks off to a good start by shutting out the Cubs in the first two innings, giving up just one single and a walk, while striking out four. Meanwhile, the Yankees got on the board in the bottom of the first on a couple of two out singles by Pearsall and Tony Parella, a hit batsman, followed by a wild pitch. In the bottom of the second, the game was stopped so that both teams could move their cars out of the parking lot to make way for overflow parking for a Cook Park concert. When the game was resumed, the Cubs bats woke up. Bryce Cutler got the ball rolling with a lead off single in the top of the third. After a fly out to left, Randy Craft drove a long fly ball to left center that hit off the top of the fence and came back into play. With runners on second and third, Mike Girard drove a Pearsall fastball off the fence in center field, and Dave Mitchell followed with a solid single to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead. Pearsall then got a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat. Jim McQuade got things going in the top of the fourth with a single and a stolen base. After a strike out, Ron Massaroni delivered McQuade with a RBI single. Pearsall got the Yankees back within one run (3-2) in the bottom of the fourth with a long home run over the center field wall. The Cubs were back at it again in the fifth. Mike Girard led off the inning with a single and a stolen base. Dave Mitchell followed with a single and a stolen base to put runners on second and third with nobody out. After an infield fly, Jim McQuade drove in Girard with a single. Mr. Pearsall was then able to keep the Yankees in the game by striking out the next two Cubs. The Cubs were not satisfied with a 4-2 lead, and in the top of the sixth, struck for two more runs. Bryce Cutler again was the instigator. He led off with a single, stole second, and took third on an errant throw by the catcher. After a strike out, Randy Craft walked and stole second. Pearsall got Girard on a comebacker, but Dave Mitchell then drove a wicked liner to deep left field that put a big dent in the Stewarts sign. The Cubs now led 6-2 and it was starting to get dark. The Yanks were only going to get one more shot against Ron Massaroni and the Cubs. The Yanks had the top of the order coming up. Ron Massaroni struck out the leadoff hitter, then Eric Deumler hit a sinking liner to left that looked like it was going to drop in for a hit. Jim McQuade charged hard and dove, spearing the liner just before it hit the grass. What a catch! Mazz then got the dangerous Pearsall to ground out to second to end the game. Massaroni ended up with a 4-hitter, with one HBP and 5 strikeouts. A great tune-up for the second season!!!
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 28th of July 2010 10:00:51 AM
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 28th of July 2010 10:06:49 AM
couldnt say it any better myself lol Good job last night and good luck the rest of the year. You have a tough tough team, you play solid and hit well i know first hand i was looking at those balls fly over my head in center haha
Good job taking that team from where you were when you started the year, to where you are now. You guys went from borrowing players and struggling to get guys to show up, to one of the favorites in the playoffs. Solid job! Good luck.
