Two ancient baseball clubs, at least as far as baseball history goes, the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates, met for a four game series. The Cubs were one game behind the Pirates coming in and would be one game back of Pittsburgh going out. It would be the first KOD meeting between Jim Walden and Peter Daly.

The two managers exchanged line up cards and shook hands and the series was on.


Game 1
Chicago 0           Maddux    L(2-2)
Pittsburgh 1       Bibby        W(2-1)

It was a clear,crisp night for baseball in Pittsburgh. A light wind was blowing across Three Rivers Stadium as Greg Maddux and the Chicago Cubs came in to face Jim Bibby and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Maddux was masterful for the Cubs. Except for a lead off walk in the fifth and a subsequent  errant throw by Maddux, all else was sterling by the young right hander. After the walk, Tony Pena doubled to left, scoring Barry Bonds. That was it, only one hit for Pittsburgh. Tossing a one-hitter only to lose left Maddux shaking his head after the game.

Jim Bibby was aces for Pittsburgh as he scattered 4 hits in a 7 and a 1/3 innings to lead the Bucs.  

 MVP Jim Bibby


Game 2
Chicago      2       Brusstar   L(0-1)
Pittsburgh  3     Tekulve     W(1-0)

"Big Daddy," Rick Reuschel starts against his old mates, the Chicago Cubs. Chicago counters with righty Rick Sutcliffe. It would be another good pitching duel as Sutcliffe only gave up 6 hits and 2 runs while Resuchel surrendered 2 runs on 4 hits to the Cubs.

Chicago would open the scoring in the 2nd when Gary Matthews would reach on an error. An intentional walk to get  to Sutcliffe would backfire as Sutcliffe stroked Reuschle's first pitch into left scoring Matthews. Another run in the 5th would extend Chicago's lead to 2-0. Bob Dernier would double into the left center field ivy and plate Damon Berryhill.

A Madlock solo homer in the Pirate 6th would slice the lead in half. The Pittsburgh 7th would see Pittsburgh tie it up. Two singles and a Dave Parker sacifice fly to right center would score Madlock. In the 9th with the score tied 2-2, Warren Brusstar would come in for the Cubs but he couldn't keep Pittsburgh off the board. Sid Bream would lead off the 9th with a double, but Brusstar would have Omar Moreno and Jose Lind take a seat. Two outs and it looked like extra innings. He would then walk Madlock and Parker to load the bases. Two outs. Bases loaded. Bobby Bonilla would run the count to 2-2 and then smack a scorcher back up the middle and that was that.

 MVP Bill Madlock



Game 3
Pittsburgh   2      McWilliams   L(0-1)
Chicago      6       Trout             W(2-0)

Chicago would get the bats off their shoulders as the series moved back to Chicago and the friendly confines. 

The Cubs would get on the board in the 1st on a Mark Grace single which would be followed by an Andre Dawson double. Grace would trot home to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. Pittsburgh would tie it in the 3rd as Lee Lacy would single, then steal second, and later score on a Bill Madlock shot in the hole. 

The bottom of the inning saw Chicago regain the lead. Bob Dernier lead off with a triple. A wild pitch scored him. Ryne Sandberg singled followed by a Mark Grace double. A Ron Cey sacrifice would score another and it was 4-1 at the end of three.

Solo shots by Gary Matthews and Jody Davis in the Cub 6th would extend the lead to 6-1. Pittsburgh would tack on a run in the 8th and that would be all. Lee Smith would close down the Bucos in the 9th.

 MVP  Steve Trout




Game 4
Pittsburgh   5       Rhoden     L(2-1)
Chicago     11      Eckersley  W(2-0) 

It only took 3 innings for Chicago to put this one away. The Cubs scored 8 runs over the first three innings and never looked back. Pittsburgh gamely tried to hang in but Chicago had an answer for what ever the Pirates could come up with. Pittsburgh would score their 5 runs over the last few innings and try to rally but it was for all purposes over after the first three innings. In baseball you never know what might happen when one team jumps to a huge lead, but you just had the feeling this one was done early, much to the delight of the Cubs.

Bob Dernier lead the way for Chicago going 4 for 4 with 4 RBI. Andre Dawson went 2 for 5 with both hits being his second and third home runs of the year. Ryne Sandberg would drive in 3 runs. Manny Trillo would replace an injured Ron Cey and go 2 for 3 on the day. The Pirates hit the ball as well with Bill Madlock leading Pittsburgh by going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI.

 MVP  Andre Dawson


All in all Chicago was pleased to get a split after losing the first two. It was a pleasure to go up against Peter for the first time.