In a match-up between the 2010 league champions (Cubs), and the early season favorite for the 2011 season (Dodgers), last night at Dutchman field, the Dodgers came out on top 4-0.
The game was dominated by the starting pitchers for both teams.
The Cubs sent Ron Massaroni to the hill, and Ron scattered 5 hits, 1 walk, and 1 HBP, while striking out 7.
The Dodgers got 3 unearned runs in the top of the 4th. Mike Burns reached on an error, stole second, and went on to third on an errant throw by the catcher. After Massaroni struck out the dangerous Ryan Johnson, Burns scored on a wild pitch. The next Dodgers' hitter (Ames) reached when the umpire cliamed that Tom Maney had pulled his foot off the bag at first. This call gave the Cubs their third error of the inning and kept the inning alive, and the Dodgers took full advantage when Jason Day crushed a mistake pitch from Massaroni over the left field fence.
These three runs were all that Dodger starter, Jim Shook would need. He scattered 4 hits and two walks, while striking out 9 (including 5 of the last 6 Cubs he faced).
The Dodgers would add an insurance run in the 6th inning, when Mike Burns again reached on an error and stole second base. Burns would display great hustle and baseball sense when he scored all the way from second on an infield single by Ames.
These are two teams that are evenly matched and we all look forward to round two in this new rivalry.