Winning smart is the most satisfying way to win. Homers are important, but intelligence is essential to baseball.
The Cubs didn’t have a hit in the last five innings Saturday night yet still managed to knock off Montreal 3-2. Determined and alert baserunning by Brian McRae, Ryne Sandberg and Jose Hernandez manufactured the decisive run in the ninth as the Cubs won for the ninth time in their last 13 road games.
The winning play started when Expos third baseman Andy Stankiewicz dropped Sandberg’s grounder, then recovered and tried to throw him out at first. Perched at second, McRae never stopped as he rounded third. So when Sandberg was safe on Stankiewicz’s error, McRae provided a rare one-run victory.
McRae said Expos first baseman Cliff Floyd “reacted . . . too late. I’m always looking to score. The first baseman has to come off the bag to have a chance to get me.”
Earlier, McRae got to second base on a tap back to the pitcher when Hernandez was frozen in a rundown between second and third. Hernandez made the Expos work to get him and McRae had time to reach second on a fielder’s choice.
Hernandez was hit by a pitch to get on base. So add it up–a hit batsman, Rey Sanchez’s sacrifice, a fielder’s choice and an error led to the winning run.
Larry Casian got his first win since Aug. 3, 1995. He retired just two batters in the eighth, but one was a strikeout of Darrin Fletcher with men at first and third.
Frank Castillo received no decision, but carried the Cubs into the seventh with a strong effort. “I’ve got command now of all four of my pitches,” he said.
And the Cubs are starting to command their fate, one victory below .500.
