Click here to view Series Box scores
The Cubs jumped out to a 3-0 lead through 2 innings as Howe and Meztger made errors and the Cubs made them pay. Astros starter J.R. Richard had his good stuff, as he struck out 11 in only 6 innings of work. Mark Prior was even better, though, as he struck out 11 in 8 innings and kept the Astros off the scoreboard until the bottom of the 9th. After scoring 2 in the bottom of the 9th, the Astros loaded the bases with only 1 out. Kerry Wood got Enos Cabell to pop out, then Ohman came on to induce a ground out from C Edd Herrmann and the Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the series with a 5-2 win.
Game 2 (Niekro vs Maddux)
The Astros sent veteran Joe Niekro to the mound against Greg Maddux in Game 2, desperately hoping to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole. Both pitchers were good through 6, but the Astros managed to eke out runs in the 2nd and 3rd to take a 2-0 lead. In the 7th, the Cubs pinch hit for Maddux. They threatened but Niekro and Astros relief ace Ken Forsch kept them off the scoreboard. In the bottom of the 7th, with Bill Wuertz on the mound, the Astros bats came alive. 7 Astros would reach base on a combination of hits, walks, Cubs errors, and a 3-run blast from the bat of light hitting shortstop Julio Gonzalez, and the Astros took an 8-0 lead into the 8th. A combination of relievers preserved the shutout, and the series was tied 1-1 as the 'Stros won 8-0.
Astros CF Cesar Cedeno doubled, then scored on a Joe Ferguson double to give the Astros a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st. Cubs immediately answered as Ronnie Cedeno scored on a Derek Lee single in the bottom of the 1st. Cubs took the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the 2nd as OF Murton hit his 2nd homer of the series (he had homered in Game 1 as well). Astros tied it up in the top of the 4th as Bob Watson hit a solo shot. In the 5th, the Astros took a 3-2 lead as SS Roger Metzger singled and arms around to score on a Jose Cruz single. That was it for scoring until the bottom of the 8th. With the Astros clinging to a 3-2 lead, relief ace Ken Forsch took the mound to attempt to generate that most rare of feats, the 2-inning save. It was not to be though, as Cubs' Barrett, Murton (him again), and Hairston Jr. strung together 3 hits to score Barrett with the tying run. With Kerry Wood on the mound in the top of the 9th and 2 out, Enos Cabell singled, advanced to 2nd when Cliff Johnson was hit by a pitch, and scored on a PH Wilbur Howard single. With the Astros bullpen now somewhat depleted, Gene Pentz took the mound to try to close out the victory. Ronnie Cedeno lined a single to left and took 2nd on a Neifi Perez bunt. Now, with the ever dangerous Derek Lee due to bat, Astros manager Schneider opted to bring in starter Joaquin Andujar in relief. The move worked (at least in the short run), as Andujar induced a fly out from Lee and a ground from Burnitz to preserve the win 4-3. Astros now lead the series 2-1.
Game 4 (Andujar vs J. Williams)
Astros manager Schneider elected to bring Andujar back to start Game 4. This decision did not work out so well, as the Cubs scored 4 in the bottom of the 2nd (highlighted by an Aramis Ramirez 2-run homer) to chase Andujar. Floyd Bannister came in to get the last 2 outs of the 2nd, and preceded to hold the Cubs scoreless over the next 4 innings. Cubs starter surrendered 3 singles in the bottom of the 4th as the Astros clawed their way to a 4-4 tie. Tension continued to rise as the teams exchanged 0s through the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th innings. In the top of the 11th, with Mike Remlinger on the mound, the Astros went to work. Bob Watson singled, Art Howe (of Moneyball fame) walked. Enos Cabell then doubled home Watson and Howe and the Astros took a 6-4 lead they would not relinquish. Ken Forsch held the Cubs scoreless in the bottom of the 11th and the Astros took the series 3-1.
--submitted by Bill Schneider-- Very exciting series, well managed by Tom.
No comments:
Post a Comment