The Yankees vs Cubs game, last night at the A-Diamond, was missing some key players on both sides.
Whether it was work responsibilities, family responsibilities, injuries, or playing or managing in the 30+ playoffs; the
Cubs were left with 9 roster players to start the game, and the Yanks were left with 6 regulars and 3 borrowed players;
for the third and final meeting between 2 of the top 3 teams in the 55+ division.

Lex Herrlett was the starter for the Yanks and went the distance, giving his makeshift team a chance all night. The Cubs scored
an unearned run in the 3rd on a Paul Miles RBI groundout. The Cubs boosted that lead to 3-0 in the top of the 4th inning.
With 2 outs and nobody on, the Cubs got 5 consecutive singles from Jim Bonaparte, Dan Hernandez, Ron Massaroni, Jim McQuade,
and Paul Miles. McQuade's single drove in the two runs.

Jim Bonaparte started and pitched 3-2/3 innings for the Cubs, before he had to leave to go manage his 30+ team in the
semi-finals. He held the Yankees scoreless, in that time, but left the bases loaded with 2 outs (and a 3-0 lead) and Lex Herrlett
coming to the plate. Mike Girard came on in relief, and immediately gave up a 3-run double to Lex on the first pitch (a hanging curve).
With the game tied at 3, and Lex on second, Girard got the last out in the 4th to keep it tied.

The Cubs would earn their victory, in the top of the 5th. Girard reached on an error, and then Ron Lochner executed a great bunt single,
taking everybody by surprise (as it was his first bunt ever). Andy Hoyle was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, with nobody out.
Alex Marin made it to the game just in time to bat for the departing Bonaparte, and deliver an RBI single to give the Cubs a 4-3 lead.
A Hernandez sacrifice fly made and a Yankees miscue made it 6-3. Jim McQuade followed with a 2-RBI double to make it 8-3 Cubs,
and another error made it 9-3.

Girard and Hoyle mopped up the remaining 3 innings against the Yanks depleted line up, with the Yanks getting two runs in the bottom of the 6th.
The 7th saw the Cubs get one final run on the board on a triple by Chris Dunn and one final Yankees error. Final score: Cubs 10 and Yankees 5.

The Damn Yankees finish the regular season at 11-6, good for third place. The Cubs push their league leading record to 15-1, with the victory;
and will play their final regular season game on Friday, versus the suddenly red-hot Giants. Then it is on to the playoffs!




-- Edited by mgirard11 on Thursday 24th of August 2023 08:35:09 AM

-- Edited by mgirard11 on Thursday 24th of August 2023 08:36:39 AM

-- Edited by mgirard11 on Thursday 24th of August 2023 08:37:17 AM