On Thursday night, at the A-diamond the Cubs ran into a determined Americans team, that fought hard til the end, buoyed by the solid pitching of Rich Garbarino. Rich limited the Cubs offense to just one hit and one run through the first 4 innings. That one hit was from the top lead off man in the CDMSBL, Paul Miles. Paul did what he does best. He singled to lead off the game and stole second and third base, and scampered home on a wild pitch. He single handedly created that run, while Garbarino was cutting through the Cubs order like a hot knife through butter. He would retire 12 of the next 15 Cubs, allowing just 3 walks.
Meanwhile Scott Ross was no hitting the American through his first 4 innings of work, allowing just one walk. The 5th inning is when the bats on both sides started to heat up. The Cubs got going first. Mike Girard led off with a single and a stolen base. After one out, Andy Hoyle delivered Girard with a booming triple to the left center field fence. George Schillinger then grounded to third, but the ball was misplayed and Hoyle scored from third, and the Cubs led 3-0.
The Americans answered in their half of the inning, breaking up Ross's no hitter with one out. Dennis Lane walked and Jesse Braverman looped a single just over the infield, and Bob Yakatan singled to load the bases. Scott motioned to Cubs manager, Mike Girard, that he was experiencing some discomfort in his back (an issue he has fought all season, and Girard came on in relief with the bases loaded and one out. Anthony Torre greeted Girard with a RBI single, and the bases were still full. Girard induced a grounder back to the mound and cut down the runner at the plate. With two outs he got another weak tapper to the mound, and the Cubs were out of the jam, with a 3-1 lead in tact.
Ron Massaroni led off the 6th, with a single and a stolen base. Ron McCarthy followed with a RBI Single, and the lead ballooned to 4-1. The American showed their mettle, in the bottom of the 6th with a rally against Girard. Vinnie Koster led off with a single, and Rich Garbarino followed with a line drive single to right that got under the glove of the charging Cubs' right fielder, leaving runners on second and third, with no outs. Gibby Travis singled home Koster, and one out later Brad Buchan blooped an RBI single to left, and the Americans were within one run, and had runners at first and second with just one out. Girard bore down and got Lane on a fly ball to left, and Braverman on a pop out to third. The game was very much still in doubt as it moved to the 7th inning.
The Cubs got a leadoff walk and a stolen base from Dave Mitchell, followed by an RBI single by Miles, to push the lead to 5-3. Miles was thrown out at second trying to stretch the hit to a double. After one was out, Girard reached on an error and immediately stole second. Jerry Rosen followed with a booming double over the left fielders head, and the Cubs' lead was now 6-3. With the added insurance runs in his pocket, Girard rolled through the bottom of the 7th inning striking out all 3 batters he faced, and the Cubs walked away with a hard fought 6-3 victory. The Cubs move to 9-1-1, with the win, and the Americans drop to 2-8-1 with the tough loss. Next up for the Cubs is the Pirates, at the A-Diamond, on Thursday night (09/10).
A big tip of the cap to Dan Durbak, who was in attendance, and volunteered to umpire the game, when the appointed umpire was a no show. Dan did an admirable job, and saved the day. THANKS DAN!
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Friday 4th of September 2020 05:59:18 AM
