Cubs Party to End Season

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Cubs Season Ends

Since winning their last World Series in 1908, the Chicago Cubs battle cry season-after-season has been "wait 'till next year." The Murphey Candler AA Cubs now have that same battle cry.

The Cubs season came to an end on Wednesday night when they lost their opening round playoff game to the Diamondbacks 7-1.

The Cubs got, arguably, AA's finest pitching performance of the year from Parker Garrett who threw a team-record 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Of his 40 pitches, 35 were strikes. Parker allowed just 2 hits and struckout a club-record 9 batters. But it wasn't enough to overcome the lackluster bats.

The Cubs totalled just 2 hits: a frozen-rope double to center field by Mick Madden and a towering RBI double to right by a bulked-up Parke Schalon.

The defensive gem of the game was turned in by catcher Jack Bapst, who whipped off the mask to make a diving grab of a foul pop up. Trevor Meyer also flashed the leather at shortstop, making a slick pick-up and then gunning down a would-be base runner.

Despite the disappointing loss coach Matt Garrett deemed the season a major success. "These guys worked harder than I could have ever imagine, and I'm proud to be their coach," said the teary-eyed coach, obviously not ready for the season to end. Assistant coach Mike Madden was more pragmatic. Said Madden, "remember I'm used to endings like this. I'm a life-long Cubs fan." Madden refused to blame the Curse of the Billy Goat (see Mike for more details).

More pictures to follow over the next few days.

Cubs Celebrate Family Day in Style

Showing no signs of 12 days off, the Cubs celebrated Family Day at Murphey Candler by ripping the Orioles 12-2 in their regular season finale. Coach Matt Garrett said it was the perfect way to head into the playoffs. "Our guys are ready," proclaimed the confident coach who saw his team finish the rain-shortened regular season with a 5-6-1 record. The playoffs likely open on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Three Cubs pitchers, Parker Garrett, Mick Madden and Charley Casey, combined on a 2-hitter, striking out 9 Orioles in a game shortened to 4 innings by the mercy rule. Parker turned in his best mound performance of the season, at one point striking out 7 batters in a row. He struck out the side in the 2nd inning, requiring just 11 pitches.

Gameball honors were shared by Mick and Parke Schalon. Not only was Mick stellar on the mound, but banged out 3 hits, knocked in a run and scored another. As for Parke, he drew two walks and scored a run while turning in a pair of defensive gems.

It was a big game for Trevor Meyer who walked twice and scored three times; Charley had a base hit and scored twice; Parker ripped a double, 2 singles, knocked in two runs and scored twice; Alex smashed 3 towering balls into the outfield while knocking in 3 runs; Jordan roped a single and scored a run; Blake Byrd had a walk and an RBI; Brandon Shockley walked to knock in a run; Jack "Nike" Bapst drew two walks and scored; and Jack Fiscella nearly gunned down a runner at the plate with a perfect strike from 3rd base.