The Pirates beat the Cubs at Bob Moore on Tuesday night, 11-2, behind yet another strong pitching performance from Richie Knaupp, who went the distance, losing his shutout in a dusky seventh inning.
Another baseball first: The Cubs starting pitcher, LaCoutture (sp?) was forced to leave the game when his young son had an allergic reaction to peanut oil. I understand that mother and father took the boy to the emergency room, largely as a precautionary measure. I was just informed via email that he's doing fine. Still, an emergency room is no place for a parent to be.
LaCouture left in the 3rd, down only 1-0, with a couple of Bucs on base, nobody out. John Martin -- who is arguably the league MVP -- came on in relief but had no business being on the mound; he pitched six innings on Sunday and was running on fumes (and even so, whiffed me anyway).
Anyway, the "peanut incident" was a tough break for the Cubs. The distraction took something out of them and left them short-handed.
One last thought: Dennis Maille for Manager of the Year! Great season, Cubs, very impressive in every respect -- the tone, the dedication, the togetherness, and, yes, the victories.
Just wanted to expand on Jimmy’s thoughts on our game last night…On Saturday for the 28 Cubs Jon Martin was forced to pitch the last inning as our starter hit his third batter of the game and we had no one else to throw. Jon proceed to get the save and then pitch his regularly scheduled game on Sunday, pitching six strong innings to pick up the win as well as hitting a 3-run homer. Seeing Jon take the ball again last night on one days rest to help his 38 Cubs team was impressive as is his propelling the expansion Cubs to the upper tier of the 38 league. Mr. Martin is a gamer.
Good to see the old fella get some recognition. He has always been a huge part of the teams I have been on with him, whether it was the 28 Cubs, 38 Marlins, or the Florida Fall Classic teams. Very dependable for a guy that lives over an hour away. Ice that arm up and have a couple of cold ones big guy!
Enough cannot be said for Jon Martin. Not only a great pitcher and a great hitter, but a great man as well.
Anyone else with his abilities - and with less character - may have come onto the expansion team and tried to run rough-shod over what the rookie player/manager was trying to create. Jon never did any of that. Always a team-player, never pointing fingers and always willing to offer sound advice, Jon's contributions to the 38+Cubs extend well beyond what's reflected in the scorecard.
