Forty years later, on April 17, 2010, the Irvine Cubs, following a game marred by some bad luck and misfortune outside of the control of the players and coaches, led by eleven steady hands at the plate, on the bases, on the mound, and in the field, overcame all obstacles put before them and safely notched another win, 8-6, over the Astros in one of the great wins of the season.
The Astros jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the Cubs, led by timely hitting and keen eyes at the plate, responded with 5 in the bottom of the frame to take a 5-2 lead -- a lead they never relinquished. Everyone participated in the offensive onslaught for the Cubs. Kaden rapped a single, walked twice, scored twice and had an RBI.
Matthew B. also singled, walked scored once and drove in three runs. Mario had two hits and scored a run. Sean walked and scored. Michael ripped a double, walked and scored. Kanade singled, scored and drove in a run. Anon singled and drove in a run. Wyatt singled (see photo to right) and walked. Matt L. walked and delivered and RBI. Zach walked once, and Brandon put some good swings on the ball. A good team effort that saw lots of baserunners.
On defense, once again, "baseball magnet" Matthew B. turned in his ESPN web-gem highlight reel, making a diving catch of a pop up in the fourth inning, drawing a standing ovation from the crowd, and then topping it with an over-the-shoulder catch and tumble of a high, twisting pop up in the fifth inning (see photo left). Cubs parents are planning to install a "Matthew Cam" trained on first base to make sure to get videos to submit to ESPN next game. Sean also turned in a great defensive performance all over the diamond, starting the game with a great play at catcher (see photo below, right)
, popping out to throw out a batter on a 2-3 play, then having a hand in all three outs in the third inning at shortstop by catching two pop ups and getting an assist on a ground ball, and lastly making a fine play on a hard-hit ball at pitcher. Kanade made a nice play at third. Mario made a very nice play at third base to end a threat, and also helped the cause with two assists at pitcher. Michael also made a two key plays at pitcher in the last inning, the final one to close out the game. Our outfield saw a good deal of action today and proved up to the task with Matt L., Brandon, and Zach each making plays and showing some hustle. Also special kudos go out to our catchers, Sean, Michael and Kaden, who had to really perform under pressure with so many runners at third base -- runners who did not score.On the mound, Kaden, Mario, Sean and Michael, like the astronauts of Apollo 13, each overcame some adversity to guide the Cubs' ship back safely into the victory column. Kaden got us started by pitching out of a bases loaded jam in the first. Mario threw two solid innings, also pitching out of trouble in the third, when the Astros got a man on third with no outs and Mario was able to escape without allowing the runner to score. Sean came in and also pitched two solid innings, giving up only one run, striking out run, and helping out the cause with a fine assist on a hard-hit ball back to the box. Finally, Michael came in in the final inning and proceeded to close out the game with a Francisco Rodriguez-type save (meaning the kind of save that gives fans and coaches heartburn, but is effective). The pitchers came through when it was needed -- in all six innings, the Cubs recorded the third out of the inning on defense with an opponent's baserunner on third base (twice with the bases loaded). It was kind of like watching that final "re-entry" scene in the movie version of Apollo 13 (except unlike in the movie, Cubs fans didn't know how this one would end).
Thankfully, Cubs Coaches did not have to exclaim "Houston (Astros), we have a problem" during the game today. Instead, the Cubs players dug deep when they needed to, overcame adversity and lots of base runners against them, and came through when it counted. I don't know if this game was for the Cubs what Gene Krantz, NASA Flight Director, called the Apollo 13 mission -- "our finest hour" -- but it was a tense, fun-filled hour and forty-five minutes of baseball with a happy ending.
And yes, I did just see Apollo 13 on TV.
Awards
Effort: Matthew, for his diving plays, getting good and dirty, and Wyatt, for running faster than anyone today trying to beat out an infield hit
Energy: Pitchers Kaden, Mario, Sean and Michael for digging deep when they needed it
Focus: Matt and Brandon, for have a good approach and good discipline at the plate today.
The Keyshawn Johnson Award: To Michael who, when asked if he was ready to come in to pitch and close out the game in the sixth inning, told his coach "Give me the darned ball." But please don't tell his mother his father taught him to talk like that.
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