Chicago Cubs (1-3) @ Washington Senators (3-1)
CHC: Bob Ewing (1-0, 0.75) v WAS: Tommy Hughes (1-0, 1.80)
If ever Chicago needed a gem from Bob Ewing, today’s that day. With Broglio done for the series with a herniated disc in his neck, Tommy Hughes gets the chance to pitch his side to glory in front of the home fans. No pressure there, son.
Apparently not, as this fantastic series ends rather anticlimactically.
Both sides miss chances to score early, then the home team takes the lead with a run in the 6th on a Hughes sac fly.
Thanks to sporadic spots of wildness, he’s having his worrisome moments on the mound, but getting the job done nonetheless as the Cubs just can’t get a decent rally going. And when his batters post three in the 7th to make it 4-0, it is all over bar the shouting.
Arcia’s at bat in this inning is a perfect embodiment of the doggedness the Sens have shown all year, as he fouls off 8 straight pitches and then singles to give Washington a 2-0 lead. If that doesn’t break the Cubs’ resolve, the 2-run triple by Law a couple of hitters later certainly does. They go down in order in both the 8th and 9th as Washington finally makes it to the top of the mountain. Hughes, who ends up pitching a four-hitter and strikes out six, is a deserved PoG, while Sweeney’s heroics with both bat and ball earn him the series MVP gong.
As I said at the outset, only Cubs fans would begrudge the Sens their triumph. They came so close in both 1902 and 1903 and thoroughly deserve their win here. Third time really is the charm!
Tempus effulgeo, Washington – this is your time to shine!
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