Series 4: Chicago

The Chicago Gangstas swept the Perfectos to send T-Ville back to .500. Howard (.087) & Rollins (.156) went hitless. Ouch!

Chicago     031 000 140   9 11  1
Titusville  003 000 001   4  7  1

Chicago     200 000 100   3  9  0
Titusville  000 000 020   2  8  0

This series saw the first meeting between the Gangstas and the expansion Perfectos and the first home game for the Perfectos in Busch Stadium. Head for the mountains!

Game one was a lefty-lefty match-up: Jeff Francis for Chicago and Cole Hamels for Titusville. Chicago struck first with two walks and and a homer by Travis Buck, courtesy of some well-placed odd-numbered rolls on the batter cards against the BR-symboled Hamels. The monster who is Jack Cust launched a solo shot in the third to make it 4-0. Titusville wisely plonked him the next time he came to the plate, putting him out the game. T-Ville made it a game in the bottom of the third on a three-run blast from Aaron Rowand. The Gangstas continued their high-octane attack in the 7th & 8th with 5 runs, three off a home run from the bat of Joe Mauer. It was 9-3 Chicago heading into the bottom of the ninth, Francis trying to go the distance. An error, a hit batsman, and two walks brought the tying run to the on-deck circle and beads of sweat to the brow of the Chicago manager. With two outs and the bases loaded, Francis was pulled for Jamie Walker, and in to pinch hit for T-Ville was… Ryan Howard. Howard flew out, preserving his awful start and bringing his batting average down to .087. Final: Chicago 9, Titusville 4.

CHI PITCHING
Francis (8.2) WIN
Walker (0.1) SAVE

TV PITCHING
Hamels (7.2) LOSS
Percival (0.1)
Guerrier (1)

INJURIES: Cust (0 games)

Game two starters were Jered Weaver for Chicago and El Duque for Titusville. Cust back in line-up… check. Home run to put Chicago up 2-0 in the 1st… check. Both pitchers were cruising well, and it stayed 2-0 until the 7th when the Gangstas added one run on an Eckstein RBI single. The Perfectos pulled to within one in the 8th, on a two-run homer from Hank Blalock. After the homer, Chicago brought in Manny Corpas, who brought home the sweep for the Gangstas. Final: Chicago 3, Titusville 2.

CHI PITCHING
Weaver (7.2) WIN
Corpas (1.1) SAVE

TV PITCHING
Hernandez (7) LOSS
Embree (2)

INJURIES: none

The series saw five hit batsmen. Both teams are at .500.