1/22/2024 0 Comments Catch lightning in a bottle![]() Gonzalez worked the count full and as the runners left early with two outs, Sandy fisted a bloop single just over the outstretched glove of the Atlanta second-baseman that was sprinting, his back to the infield, out to right-center field, as he tried unsuccessfully to snare the softly hit, but well-placed ball. ![]() 190 against Parsons with very little power production from the slugger that currently sat at 342 home runs in his 16-year career. 290 batting average, Gonzalez was only hitting. The combatants knew each other well Parsons had faced Gonzalez countless times and had, in fact, enjoyed a fair amount of success against Sandy. Trailing 6-4 and down to their last out, the Cubbies brought long-time fan favorite Sandy Gonzalez to the plate in his normal sixth spot with runners on first and second. The potential rally seemed to hit a wall as Trimble flew out meekly to center field, allowing the fourth run of the game to score for the Cubs on a sacrifice fly. The veteran Trimble was a solid line-drive hitter with occasional power from the left side even though Turner Field’s power alleys were quite deep by present-day ballpark standards. Benson groggily walked in from the pen to the dugout as Parsons finished up his warm-up tosses.Ĭubs clean-up slugger Vince Thomas, batting in his customary four spot, coaxed a 10-pitch walk out of Parsons to load the bases and bring the go-ahead run to the plate in the presence of switch-hitting third baseman Paul Trimble. The bullpen phone rang and Mains yelled to get Blake into the dugout as he was running out of available pinch-hitters. The 15-year veteran had been an elite performer earlier in his heyday, but he was a hanger-on now, uncertain of his future, but unwilling to totally end his career because the money was still so damned good. He could do that in his sleep and he was testing that adage in a near literal fashion through the first eight innings. Still nursing a hangover from the night before, Benson knew he would likely only be needed to warm up relief pitchers this night. Potential pinch-hitters began loosening up and sharpening their mental edge as it looked like Chicago manager Buck Mains was examining his lineup card for options while Parsons warmed on the mound.Ĭhicago Cubs third-string catcher Blake Benson was his usual disinterested self, barely awake in the confines of the Cubs bullpen. Things also were stirring in the Cubs dugout as some momentum seemed to be building. The big righty strutted in from the pen with the confidence of a pitcher accustomed to success. Atlanta closer Jimmy Parsons had plenty of time, not that it was needed to get loose on such a balmy night. Lefty reliever Wilson struck out Chicago pinch-hitter Steve Townsend on three pitches, further damaging the Cubbies’ chances, but back-to-back walks had made the crowd a tad squirmy in their seats as the meat of the order came up for Chicago.Ī solid line drive up the middle by All-Star first-baseman Tyler Grace brought the Cubs to within three runs and signaled the end for Braves pitcher Wilson. ![]() The Atlanta closer was lightly tossing the ball in the home team’s bullpen with a save situation still a run away, while the normally effective Braves setup man, George Wilson, looked to slam the proverbial door shut and send the Atlanta fans home in a celebratory mood. It was a logical time in the schedule to drift a bit. If the team went down to defeat tonight nobody would be too upset. Two separate 10-game winning streaks that featured numerous late-inning rallies had left the team with a never say die attitude and a self-confidence that seemed to rattle the opposition that inevitably labeled them as overly cocky.Īs the top of the ninth began to unfold, the Cubbies were a bit listless as a road-weary club can be when late summer saps the energy from many players. There were no worries over the impending loss, as this year the North Siders of Chi town were surprisingly clicking on all cylinders, with a 10-game lead over the rest of the National League Central Division as August opened its doors to major league baseball.Įverything that could go right for their team this season had occurred at a stunning pace. A four-run deficit in the ninth inning seemed like a sure defeat for the Cubbies. The Atlanta Braves were hosting the Cubs this sultry summer night and the Braves had been in control since the early innings. One could almost feel the slightest breeze coming from the swing and miss of the Cubs batters as the game wore on into the night. The stifling, steamy air hovered motionless a dozen rows up from the Chicago Cubs’ visiting dugout at Atlanta’s Turner Field.
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