ATLANTA Asked last week about the Cubs’ chances of beating Atlanta, manager Dusty Baker mentioned that David slew Goliath, implying his team was an underdog of biblical proportions.
“Right now the big boys are the Braves and the Giants,” Baker said. “And the up-and-coming dudes are us and Florida.”
But after Kerry Wood pitched the Cubs to a 5-1 victory over Atlanta on Sunday in Game 5 of their National League Division Series, the “up-and-coming dudes” will meet in the NL Championship Series, beginning Tuesday at Wrigley Field.
“I never imagined this would’ve happened in year No. 1,” manager Dusty Baker said. “But I’ll take it.”
The Cubs won a postseason series for the first time since the 1908 World Series, ending a 95-year drought in Cubs-like fashion, leaving no fingernail unchewed. Now they’re in a most unfamiliar position, playing the favorite’s role in a series that could send them to their first World Series since 1945.
Wood won his second game in the series, holding the Braves to one run on five hits in eight innings, while Alex Gonzalez and Aramis Ramirez homered. Adding to the suspense was a would-be catch by center fielder Kenny Lofton in the sixth inning that was ruled a “trap” by second-base umpire Bruce Froemming, allowing a run to score.
All across America, Cubs fans wondered if Froemming’s blown call would lead to a blown game and add another chapter to their ignominious history.
It didn’t. It couldn’t. Wood would not let it.
Fick in fine mess: Major League Baseball and the Braves hit infielder Robert Fick with fines for chopping his hand down on Eric Karros’ extended left arm in Saturday’s Braves win at Wrigley Field.
Cubs win series, 3-2
