This was a great game that almost wasn't. The Cubs had two late cancelations, and were left with just 8 players. Six of the 9 teams in the division were playing on the same night, so the borrowing attempts were not successful. After some pregame negotiations, Steve Van Gelder was allowed to sub for the Cubs, even though he is on the Damn Yankees roster. Steve's comment pregame, "I was just here to watch the game."
The game was a well played, tight game, pitting the undermanned 2021 runner ups against the preseason 2nd ranked team for the 2022 season. Both starting pitchers were in control most of the night. The Cubs only managed 6 hits off of Yanks starter, Lex Herlett. The Yanks were only able to manage 6 hits (two were infield singles) off of Cubs' starter, Mike Girard. The game was scoreless until the top of the 3rd inning when Paul Miles worked a leadoff walk. He immediately stole second (one of 3 steals on the night). One out later Giorard delivered the game's first run with a two out RBI double.
It was starting to look like that would be enough until the bottom of the 5th inning. With one out, Mark Marshall reached on an infield "single." One out later, Darrel Duncan reached on an infield single (the infield at Kuhn was quite slow). With two outs Paul Post lifted a lazy fly ball to right that looked like the rally killing final out. The ball was misplayed in right, and the tying run scored, and Duncan motored around to 3rd. Post stole second base and put 2 runners in scoring position. Rich Royka followed with a hero moment. With a full count and two outs, Rich delivered both runners with a single, and suddenly the Yanks had a 2-run lead.
The Cubs tried to answer back in the top of the 6th. Ron Lochner singled but severely sprained his ankle running to first. A pop out and an unassisted play at first left a runner at second with two outs, the Cubs' courtesy runner stole third. After a walk to Dan Hernandez and a stolen base, the tying run was at second with two outs. Herlett then induced an inning ending groundout to short, and the Yanks were out of danger. The Cubs would again put the tying runners on in the 7th, but an inning ending 6-4-3 double play was the end of that rally, and the Yanks were owners of a hard earned 3-1 victory in the first meeting of these two championship contenders.
I'm hoping that the next time we get together that Jack Griffin and Tim Brown will be back for the Yankees; and Dave Mitchell, Andy Hoyle, Jerry Rosen, Mike Reutter, Scott Ross, and Ron McCarthy will be on the field for the Cubs. This was a great game, but both sides really will enjoy the game more when all of our buddies are out there with us.
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 4th of May 2022 09:09:27 AM
