The Cubs bounced back in game two of the 55+ finals with a 8-4 victory over the 2-time defending champion, Whiz Kids.
After being outpitched in game one. Chris Dunn was masterful in game 2. The Cubs staked Dunn to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Alex Marin walked with one out. Mike Girard singled him to second, and Dunn drove him home with a single. Jerry Rosen followed with a single of his own, and the Cubs had an important early 2-0 lead.
Dunn gave up a lead off single to Dave Siriani to lead off the bottom half, but got a pop out and induced 6-4-3 double play, and the Cubs were off to a great start. It was 3 up and 3 down in the second for Dunn, and the Cubs would use the great start from their ace and add 2 more in the top of the 3rd inning. This time Girard started the rally with a one out single to left. Dunn and Rosen followed with line drive singles to load the bases with one out. After a pop out to the catcher, Andy Hoyle hit a loud double that scored two. The Cubs left their half of the 3rd inning with a 4-0 lead.
You don't get to be a two time defending champion by throwing in the towel when you are behind, so the Cubs were ready for the Whiz to get back in the game. This they did, in the 3rd and 4th. They would get 1 run in the 3rd on a double by Jeff Friedman, a single by Mike Kane, and a sacrifice fly by Siriani. They would close the gap top 4-2 in the 4th on a Jim Hicks single, a walk by Shawn Martin, and a RBI single by Doug Reisinger.
The game was now tight again and it was up to the Cubs to take back the momentum or face the full force of a Whiz comeback. Well, the Cubbies came through. Girard started the rally in the 5th with his third single of the game, this time down the right field line. A fielder's choice and Rosen's 3rd hit of the game put runners on first and second with one out. A grounder to third moved both runners into scoring position with 2 outs. Andy Hoyle came through in the clutch with a booming double to left. A Jim Bonaparte RBI single pushed the lead to 7-2, and the Cubs felt comfortable for the first time.
Again the Whiz showed their mettle. They immediately bounced back with 2 runs of their own. Paul Graziano got the rally started with a one out double. Jeff Friedman singled, and one out later, Siriani doubled them both home. The Whiz had closed the gap to 7-4, and it was a game again.
The Cubs would add an insurance run in the 6th on a Paul Miles single, a stolen base and a couple of Whiz errors. With the score at 8-4, Chris Dunn took over and slammed the door; recording 3 of his 4 strike outs in the last 2 innings. The Cubs evened the series at one game apiece, and bring about what should be a very tight final game of the season, with the winner going home as 55+ Champs. Game 3 is set for 5:30 at Dutchmen Field, in Guilderland, on Friday night. Hope to see a big crowd for this one.
