Wednesday night at New Scotland, the Whiz Kids and the Cubs played the 3rd game of 4 scheduled for the regular season. Both of the first two games were close and competitive affairs. This one promised to be another one, and it did not disappoint.
Ron Massaroni pitched his second gem in a row, for the Cubs. Ron pitched 7 innings, giving up just two hits and 1 walk, while striking out 3. That pitching line against the league leading (defending champs) was epic and should have garnered him and the Cubs a very nice win. Not! After a one out double by Mike Kane, in the bottom of the second, and a ground out to first, the Whiz had a runner on third with two outs. Jan Friedman hit a ball to the left of the Cubs' shortstop, who ranged to the ball and gloved it but was unable to secure it cleanly, and the Whiz had a 1-0 lead with an unearned run (familiar story). The Whiz would get their only other run, in the bottom of the third. Bob Bolt led off with a single and was advanced to third on another Cubs error (this time on a grounder to third). With men on first and second, with nobody out, Bob Holmes executed a perfect sacrifice bunt, moving both runners into scoring position. Dave Siriani grounded to third, but the only play was at first as Kane got a great jump from third. That run was the last that the Whiz would score, as Massaroni no hit them over the last 3 innings. Disappointing for the Cubs that those two runs would be enough for the Whiz to win this game.
The reason that the Cubs left disappointed: Bob Bolt started on the bump for the Whiz and pitched 5 outstanding innings. He gave up just one run, on 3 hits and 2 walks. The only run was a solo blast by Mike Reutter over the left center field fence. Jeff Friedman pitched a 1-2-3 6th inning, with the help of a spectacular play by Bob Holmes at third. With one out Mike Girard scorched a liner that was headed for the hole between short and third. Bob dove to his left and extended his glove as far as he could and speared the ball. He got quickly to his feet and threw to first in plenty of time to turn a hit into the second out of the inning. Had Girard made it to first safely, Paul Miles would have been the courtesy runner and would likely have stolen second base in the next couple of pitches. But, instead of a runner on second and just one out with the Cubs' 3-4-5 hitters coming to the plate, there were two outs and nobody on. Friedman took advantage of his good fortune and got the next batter on a pop out to short. Joe Burns came on for the 7th and after a lead off single by Reutter, he got two fielders's choices and a high fly ball to center to close out the game.
In the end, the Cubs outhit and outpitched the Whiz, but the better defense was played by the Whiz, and that was what won them the game. These two teams will meet again at the A-Diamond in Schenectady, on Tuesday (08/16/22) at 5:30 pm. If the first 3 games are any indication, the game will likely not be decided until the final out. Both teams are looking forward to it.
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Thursday 11th of August 2022 09:19:49 AM
