The Losers' Club

Faithful, Too: "Game 20...W...Phew"

Added 2025-04-16 11:09:19 +0000 UTC

Today marked Jackie Robinson Day, a day in which all players wear Jackie's #42 in place of their own (complete with the classic Dodger-blue coloring). It's a nice tradition that officially started in 2009 to commemorate his birthday and to serve as a reminder of his impact on the game (for the layman, he was the first Black baseball player to cross the color barrier back in 1947).

As for the Cubs/Padres game itself, I had a new prediction early on: "One run could win this game." Ah, a twist from my prediction the night before! While this one wasn't exactly accurate, or really even accurate in any sense of the word, it was close in spirit. Both starters had been great, and while Shota and Vasquez weren't dominant Tuesday night, they each went five innings and only gave up a run. Par for the course for these two gentlemen, who have ERA's at 2.22 and 1.74, respectively. Neither deserved to lose the game, and neither did.

In their first extra-inning game of the year, the Cubs defeated the Padres 2-1 in 10, marking the latter's first home loss of the season. A relatively uneventful game through 4.5 innings when I bid goodnight to the day, so inevitably it immediately became more eventful. With two out in the bottom of the 5th, Manny Machado hit a high, fly ball just above where he was batting. Miguel Amaya and Matt Shaw-replacement Gage (King's Dominion?) Workman had some miscommunication, and somehow the ball bounced out of Workman's glove in foul territory. You must know what happened next. Yes, Machado crushed a ball into the left field stands to give the Padres a 1-0 lead.

The Cubs bounced back in the next inning on a bunt by PCA that was bobbled, allowing the Cubs to tie it up. Cut to the 10th inning. Hot-hitting Nico hit an RBI triple to give the Cubs the lead and eventually the win.

Can we win a second-straight getaway game today? Can we give the Padres their fifth defeat of the season, four of which come courtesy of the Cubs? I'll be listening on the radio today. Hope it brightens up my work day.