Out in Chatham on a perfect autumn day, the Cubs and Bombers met for a Saturday semi-final doubleheader.
Game one was played as crisp and cool as the weather as starters Ron Massaroni for the Cubs and Lex Herrlett for the Bombers battled to a 3 -3 game through six innings. The Cubs pushed across two runs in the 7th to take the lead, and Chris Dunn, who relieved Maz with two-outs in the 6th, closed the door in the 7th to secure the W.
Game two featured Dunn for the Cubs and Dave Smitherman for the Bombers. Smitherman struggled with control, and had to exit in the 2nd after plunking 3 batters and had also walked two more. However, with all the base runners, the Cubs had only pushed across one run, and the "warrior" Lex returned to the mound. This day would belong to the Cubs though, as they used timely hits, and were aided by some uncharacteristically poor defense by the Bombers to score in every inning from the 3rd through the sixth. Behind the solid pitching of Dunn, they cruised to the game two victory, and a spot in the finals against the winner of the Giants/Mets series.
This was the 2nd weekend in a row that Dunn picked up two victories, having pitched both ends of the doubleheader sweep over the Shasky's in the quarters.
Congrats to the defending champion Bombers on another fine season, I'm sure they will be back, better than ever, in '22.
Congrats to the cubs on the series victory! Cubs out hit out pitched and out played defensively the bombers. All aspects of the game went the cubs way! Great Job by Jim Mcquade leading the crew. Mazz and Dunn both professionals, and the cubs played with class . I have the upmost respect for both those pitchers and the rest of the cubs team. Good luck in the finals guys. You deserve to be there . Lex
Thanks Lex, believe me the respect for your team is most definitely mutual. The Bombers are one of the best teams in the history of our league and it is always special to be able to get a win against you guys. I know after pitching in both games on Saturday you would have been ready to take the ball if needed in game three....as Jonny said....a warrior. A footnote to the games as we needed to move our series to Chatham after New Scotland was deemed unplayable. When we arrived early Saturday, not knowing what to expect as far as field conditions go we see a lone person at the field, our own Brad Buchan who raked, lined and dragged the field and when he was done the field was perfect! In addition Brad stayed around and dragged the field after game one! It is guys like Brad and Dennis Lane who take so much of their personal time so that we can just show up and play that make this league what it is! Much Appreciation to you guys!!
