Faithful, Too: "Game 43 W - Best Ending I've Seen in Person? Oh, and a Game 44 L"

A beautfiul day for a home game. First night game of the year for me and Kait's first night game ever (also the first game of the year for Mac and his wife). Low winds. Stayed in the 60's. Great seats. For a good deal of the game it looked like the Cubs weren't going to pull it out, but I kept thinking of how nice the weather was. Finally, things were warming up in Chicago. The Cubs can just win on Wednesday for the series win. I'm happy to be outside. It's a long season, etc., etc., etc.

I figured I would remember the passion from the Mexican fans in their green Cubs jerseys, courtesy of a local artist for Mexican Heritage Night. In addition, got to cheer on Moises Ballesteros, who made his Major League debut. Grounding into a double play with the bases loaded in the 4th wasn't ideal, but at least he made it the whole game without striking out. And it was great to see PCA's continued ascendance: a leadoff single, a solo homer, and a deep sac fly. What a joy.

Things weren't quite so joyful in the top of the 7th when I saw Julian Merryweather enter the game. "I really don't like this Cubs pitcher," I told my brother. On queue, he gave up a massive home run. He then proceeded to give up two walks, two singles, and one more run. I would never boo a Cub in person...but by God was I tempted. Enter: Ryan Pressly? Remember Ryan's last game? Nine earned runs in the 10th inning in that loss to the Giants? Well, bless him, with the bases loaded and two outs, he struck out the only batter he faced. Talk about getting back on the horse. Hope he's feeling better.

Going into the bottom of the ninth, a number of fans had cleared out. Down 4-2 but without any real momentum, I get it. But this team is great offensively. The Marlins are not great, period. I told Kait that the Cubs still had a shot, and she said that they were going to win and that we should do a silent prayer (a goof, folks). We held hands and commenced. And then...God is real?

• Carson Kelly reached base on an error on a routine bouncer to short.
• Dansby walked.
• The aforementioned Ballesteros grounded into a force out at second, but somehow beat the throw to first. He's a hefty fellow. Runners on the corners. Ballesteros pinch-run for by the speedy Vidal Brujan.
• Two pitches later, Nico hit a line drive to center scoring Carson. Runners at the corners again.
• Two pitches later, Justin Turner hit a double in the corner, scoring Brujan and a smiling Nico (it was his birthday, BTW). The Cubs won 5-4.

Wrigley erupted. This was the best regular season game I'd been to from a dramatic factor. I lost my voice as Nico ran home and into the post-game revelry. This is why we watch sports and root for these teams and players. That feeling you get. That feeling you get next to 35,000 other fans. It can be real special. What a game.

Oh, and the Cubs lost Wednesday 3-1. All solo home runs. Misty night. Whatever.