This time of year has always been tough on managers as they navigate players on vacation
and others with injuries. Both teams had to navigate both as key players on both sides were missing
for their second meeting on the year. The Whiz even had to borrow 3 players: Steve Lounello, Barry Jackson,
and Dave Leonard. The Cubs had to put injured players on the field, but none of that mattered as both
teams rose to the occasion and another seesaw battle ensued.

The Cubs jumped out to a quick lead with 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning. Carlos Espada (hobbled by a hamstring),
Chris Dunn, and Ron Lochner (playing on a bum knee) all singled to get things going with Lochner's single driving home Espada
with the first run. Jerry Rosen walked to load the bases and Mike Girard followed with a RBI ground out. Jim Bonaparte singled
and the Cubs were up 3-0.

Girard started the game for the Cubs and got through the Whiz order the first time allowing just 1 walk, 1 HBP, and one single,
in the first 3 innings; but no runs. That would all change the second time through the order. The top of the Whiz order came up
in the bottom of the 4th and plated 2 runs to cut the Cubs' lead to 3-2. Bob Bolt and Joey Burns singled, followed by a perfect
sacrifice bunt by Jeff Friedman. Doug Reisinger followed with a 2-RBI single. He tried to steal second but was gunned down by Rosen.
Girard got the last out of the inning on a ground out to keep the lead.

The bottom of the 5th saw the Cubs make two uncharacteristic errors which led to the Whiz scoring 2 runs to take a 4-3 lead.
Barry Jackson had the only hit in the inning, but the Whiz were still in possession of a 1-run lead.

The Cubs' bats, that had been slumbering after their torrid start in the 1st, awoke in the top of the 6th, when it was crunch time. The Whiz
replaced Burns on the mound after 5, and the Cubs got right to work 0n the reliever, and again it was the top of the order swinging the hot bats.
Espada doubled to right (hobbling on his bad hamstring the whole way). Dunn singled him to 3rd and immediately stole second. Lochner walked
to load the bases, with no outs. Rosen and Girard followed with RBI singles for the tying and go-ahead runs. Jim Bonaparte, swinging a hot bat
recently, lifted a sacrifice fly to make the score Cubs 6 - Whiz 4.

Girard navigated the 2-3-4-5 hitters in the bottom of the 6th, allowing just a leadoff single before retiring the next 3 hitters in order. He was
rewarded for that effort when the offense supplied him with 2 insurance runs in the top of the 7th. Sherwin So singled with one out, and Jim McQuade
drove a double to the gap, putting runners on second and third with one out. Espada reached on an infield single, diving head first into the bag as his
hammy was giving out. Incredible effort! Dunn followed with a RBI single and Lochner drove in the final run with a fielder's choice.

With the score 8-4, Girard went out and got a ground out and two infield pop outs to close out the win, in the bottom of the 7th.
On the day, Girard scattered 6 singles, 1 walk, and one HBP, while striking out 1 in getting his second win against the Whiz on the year. Dunn and Espada
led the way for the offense with 3 hits each. Eight other Cubs had hits in the 14 hit attack.
Joey Burns led the Whiz offense and Bob Bolt, Doug Reisinger, Barry Jackson, and Dave Leonard had the other hits.

The Cubs win gives them a 2 game cushion at the top of the standings at 13-0. The Whiz currently sit in second place at 11-2, with their only losses
coming to the Cubs. The Cubs next game is next Tuesday night, under the lights (7:45 pm) at the Clifton Commons. They will face the 3rd place Yankees
in a game that promises to be another tight game. Come on out and see the game!




-- Edited by mgirard11 on Saturday 9th of August 2025 08:10:18 AM