Game 11 (4/27) vs. Rangers

A wise man once said that winning baseball is all about three things: (1) Good Pitching; (2) Good Defense; and (3) Timely Hitting. Tonight, the Cubs brough plenty of great pitching, great defense, and just enough timely hitting, in the form of a rocket double by Zach (see photo to right), driving in Kanade for the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth inning to lead the Cubs to a nail-biting 2-1 win over the Rangers, the Cubs' fourth win in a row.

On the mound, Kaden and Michael held the Rangers to just one hit. In fact, the dynamic duo of Kaden and Michael limited the opposition to just 5 fair balls all game, with none reaching the outfield grass. Kaden got things started (see photo to left), throwing three scoreless innings, finishing strong striking out 6 of the last 7 batters he faced. Michael threw the final three innings, giving up just one run and no hits, striking out five, and closing out the final two innings 1-2-3 each time. Tremendous job.

In the field, although there weren't a lot of opportunities, when the Cubs had a chance to make a play, they did. Sean made a nice unassisted putout in the first inning at shortstop and also made some key stops behind the plate to hold runners. Anon had a nice assist in the first inning as well. Michael made a beautiful play on a bunt in the second, jumping out from his catcher position like a cat, pounced on the ball, and fired to Matthew B. at first for the out. Later in the game, Michael made another nice play, making a running catch on a tough pop-up from his pitcher position to end a threat in the fourth (see photo to right). Speaking of Matthew B., he made a nice unassisted putout in the fourth, ranging to his right. Mario had a fine assist on a ground ball to third and Kaden made a super play at catcher, catching a foul pop behind him to record the all-important first out of the sixth inning. Great defensive effort.

At the plate, the Cubs started and finished strong -- when it counted. In the first inning, Mario reached first, then stole second and third and finally scored on a wild pitch -- reading the play perfectly and ending with great slide (see photo to left). Michael, Kaden and Matthew also each walked in the first inning. In a great at-bat that saw him fight off some tough pitches, Mario singled in the third but was left stranded. Overall, though, the Cubs bats were a little cold in the middle innings. Wyatt hit the ball hard twice. Matt L. popped out, just missing one. Brandon put some good swings on some pitches. Anon and Sean also hit a couple of towering pop-ups. In the all important bottom of the fifth, Kanade fell behind 0-2 but battled to beat out an infield single and went to second when the throw went awry. One out later, Zach stepped up to the plate. He put behind him a questionable call in his previous at bat and when the pitcher tried to sneak a fastball by him, Zach turned on it and drove it down the left field line, driving in Kanade for the game-winning double (see photo of the winning run to right). On the next pitch, Zach stole third. That timely hitting was the difference in the game.

If the message of our last game was put the ball in play and good things will happen, the message of this game what the wise man said: pitching, defense and timely hitting will go a long way.

Awards:
Energy: Kanade for once again showing that its not always how far you hit the ball, but how fast you run after you hit it that matters.
Effort: Michael and Kaden. They both threw the ball like warriors tonight.
Focus and Toughness: Zach. He showed what we have preached all year long. It's not what happened in your last at bat that counts. It's what's going to happen in your next at bat that matters. Zach put behind him a really tough call from the umpire and did not let it distract him. He knew he'd get another chance. Baseball is about second chances. There will always be another at bat and another play in the field and another pitch. When that chance came, Zach seized it and drove in the game-winning run. Nice job.