The Year of Pappas Love

I didn't really expect to post much of anything until playoff match ups are determined. That is, of course, unless something momentous happened.

I have to give Marquis a nod for getting another win, hitting a grand slam and collecting five RBIs last night. He did this at Shea Stadium against a team clinging to hopes of an NL East title and clinging to a lead in the Wild Card race. The win assures the Cubs home field throughout the NL playoffs and helped the Brewers inch closer to the Mets for the WC.

It's a strange place to be, playing the Mets now. If the Mets get the WC, they face the Cubs. If Milwaukee gets it, the Cubs face the Dodgers (in all likelihood). Now, nobody really wants to face Santana in a 5-game series, but the Dodgers are dangerous and Manny is still a very real threat (though, I don't have the same dread my acquaintances do of one hitter in the playoffs, no matter how great). The Cubs will follow it up with a similar situation - 3 games at Milwaukee this weekend.

The last Cub pitcher to drive in 5 runs? Milt Pappas in August of 1972, just 22 days before Milt's September 1972 no hitter. On August 11, 1972, Pappas went 3 for 3 against the Mets in a 7-2 Cub victory at Wrigley. Pappas had an RBI double, a two-run homer, and a 2-RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. Milt also pitched the full 9 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 strikeout and no walks.

Thanks to baseball-reference.com for the game stats.