The Cubs were fighting an emotional hangover Wednesday night while taking on the Yankees at Dutchman field. Just one night after facing the Dodgers in a high energy battle, the Cubs were forced to take on the upset-minded Yankees.
The Cubs looked like they were emotionally uninvolved through the first 3 innings, as the Yankees took a 3-1 lead, in the third, with the help of two Cubs errors and two walks, in the top of the third.
That is when the Cubs offense woke up. Ron Lochner led off the inning with a single, but was forced at second on a grounder by Andy Hoyle. Steve Lounello singled to give the Cubs runners on first and second, with just one out. Tom Maney would single and Hoyle would score when the Yank's center fielder over ran the ball. After a RBI groundout by Shawn Maney, and a walk to Mike Ferraro, Jim McQuade would hit a grounder to short that was misplayed and the Cubs had the lead at 4 - 3. Mike Girard would produce a check-swing single up the middle to get the Cubs a very important insurance run.
The Cubs would push the score to 6-3, in the bottom of the 5th, when Randy Craft led off with a single, stole second, was wild pitched to third, and singled in by Steve Lounello.
The Cubs got 5 strong innings from their starter, Tom Sheperdson. Tom was pitching for the first time this year, after recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. Shep gave up 3 runs (only one was earned), on just two hits and 5 walks, while striking out 3. Great to have Tom back in the rotation! Steve Lounello finished the game, pitching the 6th and 7th innings, striking out 4 of the 6 batters he faced to record the save.
Darnell Baker and Lex Herlett had the only two hits for the Yankees.
The Cubs move their record to 8-4 with the win.

-- Edited by mgirard11 on Thursday 14th of July 2011 09:15:47 AM