At the end of the top of the 5th the Americans were in control of this game 8-2. After the Americans plated an insurance run in the top of the 6th, they owned a 9-4 lead, with Barry Jackson in complete control on the mound, and just an inning and a half to go.
Then the bottom of the 6th happened!
PJ Martone led off with a walk, and after a fly out to left, Bryce Cutler singled, followed by a walk to John Coulombe to load the bases with one out. Matt Miles followed with a hard grounder to short that was misplayed. One run in and the bases were still loaded and the lead down to 4. Mike Reutter singled and plated another run. The lead was now down to 3. Barry Jackson, who had pitched a great game to this point, then got the Cubs' 3-hitter to pop out to the infield for the second out, and was just one out away from getting out of the jam still up 3. Well, he hit Mike Girard with a stray curve, and the Cubs were within 2 and the bases were still loaded. Worse yet, Barry had to leave the game, as this was his 3rd hit batter of the game. Dave Plew came on in relief, for the Americans. Sherwin So singled, driving in 2 runs to tie the game. Ron Massaroni worked a walk to reload the bases, and PJ Martone drove in Girard and So and suddenly the Cubs had a 2-run lead. Jim Bonaparte was then hit by a pitch to reload the bases again. Cutler then walked in his second at bat in the inning, and the lead grew to 3. John Coulombe followed with a RBI single and Bryce cutler scored on the back end of a double steal to close out the scoring. When the smoke had cleared, the Cubs had plated 11 runs in the inning and were owners of a 15-9 lead.
Mike Girard, who had been battered by the top of the Americans order all night, got the final three batters in order to preserve a harrowing 15-9 victory. The Cubs offense was led by Matt Miles, Mike Reutter, Jerry Rosen, Mike Girard, and PJ Martone, who all had 2 hits each. The Americans had 4 multi-hit performances of their own, as Dave Page, Mark Finelly, Fred Muller, and Jim Kidd all had 2 hits each. I must also mention the outstanding play of the American's outfield. All three positions made fine running catches with the biggest one coming in the with runners at second and third with yours truly at the plate. I squared one up to right center for what looked like it would be a bases clearing double, but it was turned into just a sacrifice fly as Dave Page got a great jump on the ball and outran the ball and made a juggling catch over his shoulder. Web Gem for sure, and it was, at the time (5th inning) a big play in the game for the Americans.
This one was a heartbreaker for the Americans, as the were in complete control of the undefeated Cubs for all but one inning. That one big inning for the Cubs saved their position at the top of the standings at 11-0. The Americans dropped to 2-6-2 with the loss, but after the two games they just played (tying the Yanks and scaring the crap out of the Cubs), they are looking forward to playing more good baseball as the season rolls on.
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 23rd of July 2025 02:06:22 PM
