This was a great game at the A-Diamond, last Thursday, on a day that Alex Marin made his return to the field just a few months after his near fatal accident. Friends and former teammates showed up to show their love and support. When Alex finally made his way to the dugout (after spending 2-3 innings socializing with those that came), it was as if he was never absent. The comradery and ball busting went on throughout the entire game, and into the extended cooler session after the game. We really missed him, and it was great to have him back, even if it was just to hang out. With the progress that he has already made, I am confident that he will be back in uniform for next season.
As far as the game went: it was a pitcher's duel with solid defensive support, that went back and forth, and wasn't decided until the final out in the 7th. The game was scoreless through the first 4 innings, with Mark Dinicola (Dodgers' starter) and Mike Girard (Cubs' starter) keeping their opponents off balance and off the scoreboard. The Dodgers broke the seal, with a single run, in the top of the 5th. Joe Kosek singled with one out, and moved into scoring position on a two out single by Marc Trinchillo. Ray Colletta drove in the first run of the game with a two out RBI single, and the game was on.
The Cubs manufactured the tying run in the bottom half of the 5th. Paul Miles led off with a single, and immediately stole second. Jim Bonaparte followed with a perfect sacrifice bunt, moving Miles to 3rd with just one out. That proved crucial as Ron Lochner followed with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1.
The Dodgers went right back to work, in the top of the 6th. This time Pat Alston led off with a single and stole second. Jim Bradley then singled him to third, and immediately stole second. With runners at 2nd and 3rd with no outs, Girard induced a grounder to third and a pop out to short left, and there were two outs with the runners still at second and third. John Cortese came though in the clutch with the two out RBI single, and the Dodgers had a late 2-1 lead.
With Alex Marin in the dugout, not a single Cub player was OK with the losing that game. It showed in the bottom of the sixth, as the Cubs staged their comeback bid. Dave Mitchell walked to lead off the inning, and stole second. Mike Girard followed immediately with a RBI double, to tie the game. Lefty PJ (Pat) Martone pulled a grounder to the right side enabling Girard to get to third, with just one out. A wild pitch enabled him to score the go ahead run, putting the Cubs up 3-2. Scott Ross followed with a single and a stolen base. A wild pitch later, and he was at third. Kevin Moon then delivered a very important insurance run, with a single to left, pushing the Cubs lead to 4-2.
Buoyed by the late rally, Mike Girard came out in the 7th, and pitched around a two out error, to send the Cubs fans home happy. Cubs win 4-2, and the cooler session was on! Alex Marin was given the game ball, by his teammates. His inspiration was a huge key to that victory. Cubs improved to 6-0 with the victory. The Dodgers fell to 4-2 with the tough loss.
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 30th of June 2021 09:21:04 AM
