Cubs 5, REBL Black Sox 4 May 10, 2003, 10:00 AM Game Recap
Cubs 5, REBL Black Sox 4
The new and improved Cubs snatched an opening day victory from the Blacksox on a warm day in Vallejo. Jesse Zitrin got the start and came out a little shaky, giving up a run in the first inning, but settled down after that, throwing four solid innings while striking out seven to keep the game close for the Cubs. After some sketchy defense on the Cubs part the Blacksox were able to push four runs across the plate in four innings on three hits, two hit batsmen, two walks, and a few too many passed balls and the Cubs bats were looking dormant. At the end of four the score stood at 4-1 Blacksox.
But in the fifth Doug Zeman took over on the hill, essentially rendering the Blacksox hitters useless, as he completely took control of the game, leaving some room for the Cubs offense to get back in the game, which they finally did in the sixth inning. After leaving five runners in scoring position through the first five, the sixth inning found runners at second and third with two outs and John Brian up at the plate. After the frustrating early innnings, the pressure was on for Brian to make something happen and thankfully for the Cubs he did, blooping a single into center field, making the score 4-3.
Zeman then got a one, two, three seventh inning, striking out the side and keeping the momentum on the Cubs side. But the Cubs wouldn't get anything going again until the eighth when they mounted what would turn out to be the winning rally. Jim Grebenc, playing third base, led off the bottom of the eighth with a clean single. Lex Robins stepped up and stroked a double to deep left center field putting runners at second and third with no outs. George Prichard then worked out a walk to load the bases up for Adrian Bailey who plated the tying run with a sac fly. Lex Robins advanced to third on the play and then with two outs, scored the go ahead run on a passed ball.
Zeman came out in the ninth with the score 5-4, and worked his way out of a lead off double, leaving the tying run at third. Zeman finished the day with 11 Ks in five innings, giving up only one hit and the Cubs came through with a few clutch hits to secure the win. They'll be looking to keep the momentum going into next weeks game and meanwhile will enjoy the feeling of getting that first win on opening day.
