Tonight, the Cubs put together an unbeatable combination of great pitching, staunch defense, and timely hitting and recorded the team's second shutout of the season, notching a 4-0 victory over the Brewers in a hard-fought game between two tough teams.
A few statistics from the game: (1) No opposing runner got past second base tonight; (2) Cubs pitchers scattered only three hits and one walk in six innings; (3) 13 of the 18 outs recorded by the Cubs defense were on batted balls. On that last point, when we last played the Brewers, we had the same percentage of defensive outs on batted balls --showing a remarkable consistency from our defense. Once again thanks to Amy S. for great pictures. I've added a few extra to this game report, but to fit everything in the thumbnails are smaller. For bigger versions, just click on the pictures.
First, Kudos to our pitchers. Kaden got us started (photo to left), throwing two shutout 
innings with two strikeouts and staking us to the early lead. Mario came in and threw a gutty third inning (see photo to right). Finally, Michael came in and shut down the Brewers for the final three innings, getting stronger as he went along, ending the game with a 1-2-3 inning (see photo below, left). 
Great job throwing strikes and trusting our defense. In fact, Kaden, Mario and Michael were key components to the defense on the mound, as our pitchers recorded five defensive assists on ground balls (including two very nice plays by Michael on bunts) and two putouts on pop ups. Great job, pitchers.
On defense, special recognition goes to Matthew B., who was a "ball magnet" over at first base, making two unassisted putouts on ground balls (including the game-ender), catching two pop ups, a great diving effort on a foul pop (see photo to right), getting good and dirty, and a nice stop on a tough throw to hold a runner at first. Anon caught two key pop-ups at second base. Kanade made an important stop an a hard hit ball to centerfield, holding a runner to a single, as did Zach. Kaden, Michael and Sean did a great job behind the plate, really limiting the opposition's running game. Wyatt, Matt L. and Brandon worked hard in the outfield, keeping to the "yo-yo" backup responsibilities.
At the plate, we saw key situation hitting and head's up baserunning. Sean got us started with a first inning blast that fans were still talking about after the game, a rocket to the fence in left field resulting in a stand-up triple (see photo left of Sean rounding second). 
Sean also beat out an infield single with great hustle in the third inning, scoring both times for half of our runs. Kanade had two hits, legging out an infield hit and dropping down a perfect bunt for a hit. Michael's offensive line was 1 for 1 with a run scored, an RBI and a walk and a steal of third with maximum speed (see photo above right). Kaden had a walk and an important first inning RBI, driving in Michael with exactly what situational
hitting called for, a ground ball with less than two outs and a runner on third. Matthew walked and scored our key third run after stealing home, punctuating it with a great slide. Zach ripped what 
should have been a single to left (see photo to left), but he was thinking extra bases the whole way and turned a routine hit to left into a double with heads-up running. Anon just missed having an RBI on a close fielder's choice play at the plate. Wyatt had a hard hit line drive (see photo to right). Matt L. and Brandon both put up good at bats.
Awards:
Energy: Zach, for turning a single into a double with pure hustle; Sean for legging out an infield single; and Kanade for legging out two infield singles, including a beautiful bunt.
Effort: Matthew, for his diving effort on a foul ball at first base, and Michael, for giving us three solid innings pitched.
Focus: Entire Team. Everyone came ready to play from warmups to snack.
Like Father, Like Son Award: Kaden and Coach David think alike in providing some assistance to the umpire on a close play at home (see photo to right).
Also, special thanks to Kaden, Zach, Michael, Matthew B. and Wyatt, who each arrived a full hour before the game, 15 minutes earlier than required, to get loosened up and ready for the game. It really paid dividends.
Great energy, effort and focus, Cubs!
Lastly, Amy S. caught photographic evidence of the post-game run out to left field for a team meeting. For those of you who did not hear the conversation on the way out there, I've added the dialogue to the time-lapse photography below each picture:
A few statistics from the game: (1) No opposing runner got past second base tonight; (2) Cubs pitchers scattered only three hits and one walk in six innings; (3) 13 of the 18 outs recorded by the Cubs defense were on batted balls. On that last point, when we last played the Brewers, we had the same percentage of defensive outs on batted balls --showing a remarkable consistency from our defense. Once again thanks to Amy S. for great pictures. I've added a few extra to this game report, but to fit everything in the thumbnails are smaller. For bigger versions, just click on the pictures.
First, Kudos to our pitchers. Kaden got us started (photo to left), throwing two shutout 
innings with two strikeouts and staking us to the early lead. Mario came in and threw a gutty third inning (see photo to right). Finally, Michael came in and shut down the Brewers for the final three innings, getting stronger as he went along, ending the game with a 1-2-3 inning (see photo below, left). 
Great job throwing strikes and trusting our defense. In fact, Kaden, Mario and Michael were key components to the defense on the mound, as our pitchers recorded five defensive assists on ground balls (including two very nice plays by Michael on bunts) and two putouts on pop ups. Great job, pitchers.
On defense, special recognition goes to Matthew B., who was a "ball magnet" over at first base, making two unassisted putouts on ground balls (including the game-ender), catching two pop ups, a great diving effort on a foul pop (see photo to right), getting good and dirty, and a nice stop on a tough throw to hold a runner at first. Anon caught two key pop-ups at second base. Kanade made an important stop an a hard hit ball to centerfield, holding a runner to a single, as did Zach. Kaden, Michael and Sean did a great job behind the plate, really limiting the opposition's running game. Wyatt, Matt L. and Brandon worked hard in the outfield, keeping to the "yo-yo" backup responsibilities.
At the plate, we saw key situation hitting and head's up baserunning. Sean got us started with a first inning blast that fans were still talking about after the game, a rocket to the fence in left field resulting in a stand-up triple (see photo left of Sean rounding second). 
Sean also beat out an infield single with great hustle in the third inning, scoring both times for half of our runs. Kanade had two hits, legging out an infield hit and dropping down a perfect bunt for a hit. Michael's offensive line was 1 for 1 with a run scored, an RBI and a walk and a steal of third with maximum speed (see photo above right). Kaden had a walk and an important first inning RBI, driving in Michael with exactly what situational
hitting called for, a ground ball with less than two outs and a runner on third. Matthew walked and scored our key third run after stealing home, punctuating it with a great slide. Zach ripped what 
should have been a single to left (see photo to left), but he was thinking extra bases the whole way and turned a routine hit to left into a double with heads-up running. Anon just missed having an RBI on a close fielder's choice play at the plate. Wyatt had a hard hit line drive (see photo to right). Matt L. and Brandon both put up good at bats.Awards:
Energy: Zach, for turning a single into a double with pure hustle; Sean for legging out an infield single; and Kanade for legging out two infield singles, including a beautiful bunt.
Effort: Matthew, for his diving effort on a foul ball at first base, and Michael, for giving us three solid innings pitched.
Focus: Entire Team. Everyone came ready to play from warmups to snack.
Like Father, Like Son Award: Kaden and Coach David think alike in providing some assistance to the umpire on a close play at home (see photo to right).
Also, special thanks to Kaden, Zach, Michael, Matthew B. and Wyatt, who each arrived a full hour before the game, 15 minutes earlier than required, to get loosened up and ready for the game. It really paid dividends.
Great energy, effort and focus, Cubs!
Lastly, Amy S. caught photographic evidence of the post-game run out to left field for a team meeting. For those of you who did not hear the conversation on the way out there, I've added the dialogue to the time-lapse photography below each picture:
SEAN: Hey coach, is it OK if I barrel-roll those two guys over there?
COACH: [Absent-mindedly] Sure, Sean.
SEAN: OK, thanks, Coach! Here I go!!
COACH: [What did I just agree to?]
MATT: This is gonna be GREAT!
MATT: Hey guys, hurry up, Sean is going to barrel-roll two guys!!
COACH: Uh oh, I hope the league has liability coverage for this.
MICHAEL: I'll pick up the spare!
KAAAAABAMMMM!!
UMMMMMMFFFF!!
MATT: That was AWESOME!!COACH: Did any parents see that??
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