The Cubs got the best of the Twins last night at the A-Diamond 7-3, to take a 1-0 lead in the best of 3 semi-final series.
The offense for the Cubs took control of the game right from the outset. The first 6 Cubs hitters all had solid hits. Paul Miles and Jim Bonaparte led off with singles and stolen bases. Ron Lochner followed with a 2 RBI single. The red hot Andy Hoyle smoked a single, moving Lochner to 3rd. Mike Reutter smashed a double, scoring two more Cubs. Jerry Rosen singled, moving the runner to third. With runners at the corners and nobody out, Girard hit into a 6-4-3 double play, scoring the 5th run in the opening frame. The Cubs plated their 6th run in the 2nd inning. Scott Ross singled and stole second. Miles singled Ross to third, and stole second on the next pitch. Jim Bonaparte plated the run with a sacrifice fly to center. The Cubs 7th run came in the 4th when Girard led off with a single, advanced to third on two infield outs, and scored on Miles' third single of the night.
The Cubs got a quality start from Mike Girard. The final score is a little misleading, as all 3 of the Twins runs came after the Cubs had established a 7-0 lead, and were the result a batter getting away with sticking his elbow into an 0-2 pitch to reach first on a "HBP", followed by two uncharacteristic Cubs errors. There was only one Twins hit in the inning. That hit was a 2-RBI single by Dom Archidiacano. Other than that 4 batter stretch, Girard was in complete control. He allowed just 3 hits (two by Rick Seidenburg and 1 by Archidiacano). The rest of the Twins were unable to solve the Cubs right hander, as he pitched a complete game 3 hitter, allowing just the 3 hits and 2 hit batters, while striking out 4.
The series moves to Watervliet High School on Thursday night for game two, starting at 5:00 pm. Looking forward to it!
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 15th of September 2021 11:10:17 AM
Actually , the Twins had 5 hits including a clean single by Dominic Archidiacono to right in the 5th driving in 2 runs. It was mentioned in the account above that a batter got in the way by sticking his elbow into an 0-2 pitch . That was our pitcher John Newman who did indeed turn to try to avoid the pitch but it hit him nevertheless. The Cubs pitcher complained loudly to the umpire about the call to no avail. That opened the door to 3 Twins runs spoiling what had been a shutout until that inning. It should be noted that pitcher Newman came to the plate again in the 6th and was nailed in the back by Girards first pitch. No other Twin was hit by Cubs pitching last night. The Cubs scored their 5 runs in the first on 5 consecutive singles , not 6, and an error dropped fly in left . The rest of the game they had 5 hits and 2 runs.
-- Edited by crowbait on Wednesday 15th of September 2021 11:01:40 AM
-- Edited by crowbait on Wednesday 15th of September 2021 11:03:50 AM
Sorry about the error reporting the amount of Twins hits. I was just going by what the book that my guys kept in the dugout said. Dom did indeed have a 2-RBI hit in the inning. Sorry Dom, for missing that hit in my original report. I'm not sure where the other two hits were, but that is unimportant.
I stand by my report on the first hit batter. I wasn't giving his name, because if I felt embarrassed for him. It was obvious to everybody in the field (had a better view than your dugout) that he took his heavily padded elbow and moved it clearly into the pitch. In fact my center fielder thought that it was in the strike zone when it hit his elbow. I thought that it was just outside of the strike zone, but very close. In no way, shape, or form was he "trying to get out of the way of the pitch." I pleaded to both umpires for the call to be changed (to no avail), then went on about my business.
Upon Mr. Newman's next at bat, my catcher called for a side-arm fastball inside and the pitch got away from me and plunked him on his backside. I get why you don't believe me that the HBP was unintentional, as the guys on my team didn't believe me when I told them that it was unintentional. All I can do is tell you that it really was 100% unintentional. I overthrew the pitch and it ended up in his backside. You can choose to believe me or not.
Water under the bridge. See you Thursday night.
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 15th of September 2021 11:11:55 AM
I was standing in the first base coaching box both times Newman was hit and had a perfect view as John is a right handed hitter. Thank you for your explanation.
I completely understand if somebody from the Twins wants to hit me in "retribution" at tomorrow night's game. I will stand there and take it (no response will be forthcoming), and head directly to first base without a word. I'm not inviting it, but I want you to know that I would completely understand and would take it like a man. It was a pitch that got away, but I understand wanting to protect a teammate if anyone feels that way.
You were blocking the bag and attacked and pushed down our player after the play and said you would knock him out because there was incidental contact. After the last out was recorded and your team won you did this. I get it you were frustrated that your team made 3 errors in that inning, one by you. I know you were unhappy with your sloppy fielding. But you could not contain your anger. I was coaching first base and had to jump in front of you to hold you back until your teammates arrived. The fellow you went after has serious heart arythmia and had just returned to baseball after missing a month because he cut his hand badly. It is very painful for him to close his injured hand let alone make a fist due to nerve damage. He has no history of violence whatsoever. Hes the last guy who would try to start trouble. If the Twins were the kind of team that go after players on purpose we would have taken Mike Girard up on his offer after he hit our pitcher twice in the previous game to let one of our pitchers hit him intentionally without further retribution. We declined the offer. Up until the moment you went on the attack, there were no incidents between players. Until now neither me or your manager publicly mentioned the ugly incident at the end of the game. Neither did any other Twin or Cubs player. I am sorry to see you wish to continue to try to mix it up instead of giving your full attention to the work you have ahead of you in the finals. Its a distraction for you. Its a distraction for your team.
Jim, it would be great for you to once not color your teams actions to make them look good and blame others. Lee Madsen hit a bouncer between first and the mound that was fielded by the pitcher and thrown to first in plenty of time for your runner to avoid contact. There was no frustration on our part, as we had just finished off the game and were ready to celebrate. That is when Lee ran into Ron. It seemed intentional to Ron, and that is why he went after Lee. Pushed him down?! Really?! You love to villainize the Cubs. You can do that all you want, because the rest of the league knows better. Dont, however, try to make Ron Lochner the bad guy here. Lee should have avoided the contact, as there was no way he was going to make it to first in time. The pent up frustration was on Lees part, and then by you, when I came over to your dugout afterwards to make peace. I really respect most if not all of the players on your team. I wish I could say the same about you. Maybe we can work on that next year.
