Pitching, defense, and timely hitting propelled the Cubs over the Orioles in last years finals playoff match-up. The first meeting between these two teams in 2011 was decided the same way. This time it was the pitching of Tom Sheperdson and Ron Massaroni, solid defense from the entire Cubs team, and the bats of Steve Lounello, Shawn Maney, and Dave Mitchell that got the win for the Cubs. This one was tight the entire way as Jim Becker kept the Cubs hitters off balance all night, while Sheperdson and Massaroni kept making great pitches when they needed them most for the Cubs.
The Cubs opened the scoring, in the top of the 2nd inning when Ron Massaroni walked, was wild pitched to second, and was driven home on a two out single by Shawn Maney. The O's would not let the Cubs enjoy that lead for long, as they struck right back in the bottom half of the inning. Tony Nardacci led off with a walk. Two outs later, singles by Dan Maguire and Brian Pahler would plate Nardacci with the tying run.
The Cubs would grab a 2 -1 lead, in the top of the 4th, on a lead-off double by Steve Lounello, a single by Massaroni, and a RBI groundout by Jim McQuade. Again the Orioles would strike right back. Brian Pahler, again was right in the middle of the action, starting the rally with a 2 out double. Pete Stevens would work a walk and Jim Becker would drive Pahler home with a RBI single. An error on a Doug Reisinger grounder and a walk to Mark Dabney would load the bases. A wild pitch by Tom Sheperdson would score Stevens, and because the backstop at Dutchman is so far behind home plate, Becker would try to score from second on the play. Dave Mitchell hustled to the backstop, wheeled, and threw a perfect strike to Sheperdson covering home and the rally was extinguished.
With a 3-2 deficit and Becker seemingly settling in, the Cubs had their backs against the wall. Mike Girard led off the top of the 5th with a walk. Becker induced a tapper to the third base side of the mound, that he tracked down, but threw wildly to first, and the Cubs had runners at second and third with nobody out. After a strike out, Dave Mitchell followed with a RBI single. Steve Lounello then followed with a double to the right center field wall, scoring Hoyle and Mitchell, and the Cubs had a 5-3 lead.
Jim McQuade used that opportunity to make a pitching change. On came 2010 Playoff MVP, Ron Massaroni, in relief. The Orioles would get a 1 out single and a stolen base from Tony Nardacci. After a strike out for the second out of the inning, the O's would get a walk by Hayner, and a single by Danny Maguire to cut the Cubs lead to 5-4. A walk to Pahler would load the bases with two outs. With the game on the line, The speedy Stevens would try a 2 out drag bunt, but Massaroni fielded the ball and had time to get the runner at the plate, ending the rally.
With the Dutchman curfew just around the corner, it was obvious that the game would only go 6 innings. Doug Reisinger came on to pitch for the O's, in the top of the 6th, to face the top of the Cubs batting order. He retired them, without giving up a run, to set up his team for a chance at a dramatic final inning comeback victory. One problem. The Orioles hitters were still up against one of the league's best pressure pitchers. Massaroni got the Orioles 2,3, and 4 hitters in order on a strike out and two pop outs to second base. Game over. Cubs win and move their record to 10-5.
The next time these two team face each other will be July 30th in a CDMSBL showcase game at Waconah Park in Pittsfield, Massachussets. It should be another great game! I personnaly can't wait!
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Thursday 21st of July 2011 10:10:14 AM
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Thursday 21st of July 2011 04:40:53 PM
