With all of the rain around the area, and massive amounts of rainouts piling up for the 55+ division,
it could only be considered a blessing from above, that the Twins and Cubs got together at New Scotland Town Park
for a game that went the distance. There was a 30-45 minute lightning delay after 4 complete innings, and it looked
bad for getting in an official game, much less a complete game, but the game moved swiftly while it was being played
and we got the whole thing in.

Stefan Koustakis gave up just 2 runs on 3 hits through the first 4 innings for the Twins, and Mike Girard matched that
performance giving up just two runs on 3 hits as well through 4. That fast 4 innings (along with two accommodating
umpires - thanks guys!) was the key to getting this in.

The first run for the Twins came quickly, as Lee Madsen led off the game with a sinking liner to left that got by the sliding attempt
to snag it by Cubs' left fielder, Scott Ross, and rolled all of the way to the fence for a triple. One out later, a ground out to second by McCarthy plated the run.
The Cubs answered quickly, with a singleton in the bottom half of the first. Paul Miles started the trouble by singling and stealing second
and third. One out later, Ron Lochner doubled to right center, and the score was knotted at 1.

Both teams went down 1-2-3 in the second and third innings, and both scored single runs in the 4th. The Twins got theirs on a leadoff single by Terry McCarthy
and Girard followed by plunking Tom King with a pitch to set up runners on 1st and 2nd with nobody out. A nice double play by Dave Mitchell at first, throwing
to second for a tag play after touching first, had the Cubs starter on the verge getting out of the jam, but an error on a routine grounder to short, gave the Twins a 2-1 lead.
That lead was brief, as the Cubs got even in the bottom half again. A one out error and a Ron Lochner single, followed by a walk to Ron McCarthy loaded the bases.
Koustakis induced a grounder that was turned into a force out at home, and was on the verge of getting out of the jam unscathed, but a bases loaded walk to Jerry Rosen pulled the Cubs even at 2.

After the lightning delay, the teams got back to business with what amounted to a 3 inning game to see who would come out victorious.
Girard set down the Twins in order, in the top of the 5th, and started the Cubs rally in the bottom half, with a leadoff single and a stolen base.
Dave Schillinger followed with an infield single, but Girard was unable to advance. A fielder's choice was then followed by Kevin Moon getting hit with a pitch to load the bases,
with just one out. Paul Miles walked to force in the go ahead run. Then Randy Craft (fresh from God's waiting room for a visit and a couple of games) provided a
ringing two out RBI single to give the Cubs a 4-2 lead.

The Twins would scratch out a run in the 6th to close to 4-3 on a lead off walk to Madsen, a stolen base, and a two out RBI single by Tom King.
The Cubs then gave their tiring pitcher two important insurance runs in the bottom of the 6th. Andy Hoyle reached on a one out error and stole second.
Jerry Rosen singled him to third and stole second. Girard singled to left to plate the 5th Cubs' run, and Dave Schillinger followed with a sac fly to push the lead to 6-3.

Given the biggest cushion of the night, Girard went out in the 7th and closed out the Twins without the ball leaving the infield. The Cubs starter earned the win by giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on just 4 hits,
while walking one, hitting 1 batter, and striking out 3.

The Cubs improve to 7-0-1 with the hard fought 6-3 victory, and remain atop the 55+ standings. A tip of the cap to the Twins (especially Stefan Koustakis for a well pitched game) on a great effort.
They came to the field dead set on upsetting the 2-time defending champs and gave a top-notch effort. Good luck to a great bunch of guys the rest of the way.




-- Edited by mgirard11 on Thursday 8th of July 2021 10:19:20 AM