For 5 1/2 innings Friday night at Clifton Commons it appeared as if the magical run of the Angels was not going to be stopped. Contributions for everyone up and down the lineup had propelled the Angels to a 7-2 lead over the mighty Cubs - the only negative was a fourth inning, game changing injury to shortstop T J Scorsone , who popped a hammy legging out a fielders choice. This would prove costly in the 6th.
In the bottom of the 6th, the Cubs did something I have never witnessed in a baseball game before. They pushed across 7 runs, without the benefit of a ball leaving the infield! A couple of infield hits, one beautiful bunt single, a couple walks and a slew of miscues lead to the inning from hell...and the Cubs escaped with a 9 - 7 victory. Ron Massaroni was outstanding in relief for the Cubs..holding the lead to 5.
"Mash" Gadomski started on the mound for the Angels, and battled into the 6th before tiring. Bobby Bolt relieved, and having thrown a complete game the night before, was the victim of the defensive collapse, but gave a herculean effort.
The night ended with a couple of after parties at the Ravenswood and Bourbon Street on Central Ave. where the comradery helped take some of the sting out of this loss.
Thanks to Tommy Maney for putting together a great group of Angels...and best of luck to the Cubs as they go for the repeat.
Jonny, there was one solid single up the middle in that rally that definitely made it to the outfield, but your description was otherwise accurate. As much as we enjoyed the adrenaline of that comeback, and are thrilled to be moving on to the finals, not a single Cub was happy with the way that inning must have made our friends across the field feel about their effort.
As you said, for 5-1/2 innings the Angels had put in a winning effort. To see that evaporate in one half inning left us with an empty feeling about the win. The Cubs had scratched out just two runs (one in each of the first two innings) against Phil "Mash" Gadomski in the first 5 innings. Meanwhile, the Cubs were coughing up runs on walks and errors themselves (two in the 1st and 5 in the 4th). It all spelled trouble for the defending champs.
The bottom of the 6th started with an infield single by Ron Massaroni, and a line drive up the middle by Mike Girard. Dave Mitchell followed with an infield single. Then the wheels came off the Angels cart, mainly due to position changes that were necessitated by the injury to one of the best defensive shortstops that I have played with (TJ Scorsone). 3 or 4 Angels players were forced to play out of position, and the ball seemed to find each one. My heart goes out to Bobby Bolt, who agreed to come in the game with very little left after all of the pitching he had done in the previous 3 days, and such a patchwork defense. He still soldiered on as misplay after misplay erased all of the good that these Angels had done up to this point. A tip of the cap to you Bobby! Can't wait to play with you in a tournament somewhere next Fall, if God allows. You are just a consummate teammate! To the rest of the Angels, I love you guys, and can't wait to share the field with you again.
To my guys, I need to apologize for trying to play the hero, by starting a game on the mound that I had no business starting, risking our playoff lives. I was in no shape to be on the bump, with the bought that I fought with an intestinal issue, and should have deferred to Ron Massaroni or Scott Ross. Thanks to Ron and the offense for bailing me out on this one. I promise to never do that again!
For now it is on to the finals, for the test of champions: 3 games in 3 days against the very best that this division has to offer. We know it is not going to be easy, but we have been there before!
