[luckymann]

WAS: Lou Brissie (0-1) v CHC: Wilbur Wood (1-0)

With everything on the line it should come as no surprise that Game 4 turned out to be what can only be described as an “instant classic”. Both sides opted to go with their Game 1 starters on three days’ rest, meaning heart was going to be just as big a factor – perhaps even more so – as talent in this one.

There was no feeling-out period as Chicago put one in the frame in the 1st on a Cutshaw groundout, and when they added 3 in the 3rd the home side was right on the precipice to say the least. They steadied to get on the board in the home half via an RBI single by Garrett Anderson and another in the 4th on a Keppinger groundout got them right back into it. Back-to-back doubles by Brissie and Law in the next made it 4-3 and when Anderson got his second ribbie of the game with a sac fly later that inning it was knotted up at 4.

That score held thru regulation as the pitchers gained the upper hand and into extras it went. Both teams had their chances to score over the next few innings but it was still 4-4 entering the home 12th. SS Orlando Arcia led off the Washington half with a single before Chance Sisco walked, putting the winning run in scoring position with no outs. Wood, who was still in the game at that point, then loaded them up when he hit Rudy Law. Chicago skipper Tom Loftus elected not to go to the bullpen, and Wood repaid his faith by getting Backman to hit into a forceout at home to record the first out. But cometh the hour, cometh the man as they say, and this was Garrett Anderson’s hour and today he was the man. His sharp single to left scored the walkoff game-winning run to extend the series and keep his side’s hopes alive for another day.