Chicago Cubs Archives - Chris Ricchetti

Week of August 23-29, 2021

Four-Game Series at Toronto Blue Jays

Series split 2-2

Monday, August 23, 2021 at 6:07 pm CDT
Rogers Centre
Lance Lynn, RHP vs.
Blue Jays / Alek Manoah, RHP

L, 2-1, 72-54 (.571), L3 | LP: Craig Kimbrel (2-4, 1.57) | Game 126

➤ Eloy Jiménez–DH goes 1-for-4, extending his hitting streak to 12 consecutive games.

➤ Yoán Moncada goes 2-for-4. He has knocked a base hit in 10 consecutive games.

➤ Tim Anderson is not in today’s lineup.

DEFENSE: Big man matchup on the mound—Lance Lynn (6’5”, 270#) vs. Alek Manoah (6’6”, 260#). Lance Lynn pitches beautifully against an outstanding lineup—1 R/ER on 4 H, 0 BB, 4 SO on 7.0 IP. In the 8^th, Craig Kimbrel lets Breyvic Valera score from 3B on a wild pitch. Pinch running for Reese McGuire, who had singled, Valera had advanced to 2B on an previous wild pitch. OFFENSE: Andrew Vaughn 1B scores Yoán Moncada (singled, advanced to 3B on Brian Goodwin 1B), in the 6^th. Alek Manoah strikes out 5, through 6. The Blue Jays bullpen strikes out 5 more. The White Sox knock 5 H, draw 3 BB, and strand 8. Watch game highlights on mlb.com:

August 24—Leuri Garcia activated from IL

Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 6:07 pm CDT
Rogers Centre
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Blue Jays / José Berríos, RHP

W, 5-2, 73-54 (.575), W1 | WP: Dylan Cease (10-6, 3.92) | S: Liam Hendriks (29) | Game 127

➤ Eloy Jiménez goes 2-for-5, extending his hitting streak to 13 consecutive games.

➤ Yoán Moncada goes 3-for-5, extending his hitting streak to 11 consecutive games.

➤ Tim Anderson is not in today’s lineup.

DEFENSE: Dylan Cease dominates—on the road, against one of the AL’s best lineups. Cease goes 1-2-3 in the 1^st. Three Ks in the 2^nd. He goes 1-2-3 again in the 3^rd. Two Ks, 1B, and a GO, in the 4^th. A PO, ground-rule 2B, 1B, K, and another PO, in the 5^th. A BB, GO-DP, and a FO in the 6^th. Three FOs and a solo HR in the 7^th. Cease’s line: 1 R/ER on 4 H, 1 BB, 7 SO. In the 8^th, Michael Kopech strikes out the lead-off batter, then gives up two 1Bs. Liam Hendriks then walks the fourth batter to load the bases, but escapes on a 6-4-3 double play. In the 9^th, Hendriks gives up a run on three 1Bs (1 SO). OFFENSE: José Abreu 3-run homer (26), in the 1^st, brings in Luis Robert (singled) and Yoán Moncada (singled). Danny Mendick 2B scores Brian Goodwin (singled, advanced to 3B on Jake Lamb–DH 1B)—also in the 1^st. José Abreu GO scores Luis Robert (doubled, advanced to 3B on Yoán Moncada 1B), in the 4^th. The White Sox score 5 runs on 18 hits (fewest runs scored by a White Sox lineup on 18 hits since 1960). Seven Sox knock 2+ hits. Three Sox runners are thrown out on the base paths. Watch game highlights on mlb.com:

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 6:07 pm CDT
Rogers Centre
Lucas Giolito, RHP vs.
Blue Jays / Robbie Ray, LHP

L, 3-1, 73-55 (.570), L1 | LP: Aaron Bummer (2-5, 4.36) | Game 128

➤ Eloy Jiménez–DH goes 0-for-4, to end his hitting streak at 13 (as of 8/24).

➤ Yoán Moncada goes 1-for-4, extending his hitting streak to 12 consecutive games.

➤ Tim Anderson returns after four days of rest, going 0-for-4, to end his hitting streak at 10 (as of 8/20).

DEFENSE: On the one-year anniversary of his 1-BB, 13-SO no-hitter (19^th in White Sox history) against the Pirates, Lucas Giolito holds his own in a tense pitching duel, giving up just 1 R/ER on 5 H, 1 BB, 6 SO on 6.0 IP. Ryan Tepera goes K, K, BB, PO, in the 7^th. In the 8^th, Aaron Bummer strikes out the first two, then allows 3 consecutive base hits, giving up the go-ahead run. José Ruiz steps in, and the next batter reaches on an E6 to load the bases. Ruiz issues a run-scoring BB, giving the Jays a 2-run lead—that’s 5 consecutive reaches for the Jays, with 2 outs. The 8^th batter grounds out to end the inning. OFFENSE: Blue Jays starter Robbie Ray (second lowest ERA in the AL, behind Lance Lynn) strikes out 14 White Sox, allowing the Sox only R on 5 H, through 7. Reliever Tim Mayza strikes out 2 more in the 8^th, for a total of 16 SO on the night. The Sox knock 1 more H in the 9^th (total 6). Yoán Moncada RBI 1B scores Leury Garcia (singled, stole 2B & 3B), in the 3^rd. Watch game highlights on mlb.com:

August 26—Carlos Rodón activated from IL

Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 2:07 pm CDT
Rogers Centre
Carlos Rodón, LHP vs.
Blue Jays / Hyun Jin Ryu, LHP

W, 10-7, 74-55 (.574), W1 | WP: Carlos Rodón (10-5, 2.43) | S: Craig Kimbrel (24 – 23 CHC, 1 CWS) | Game 129

DEFENSE: Coming off the IL, Carlos Rodón gives up 2 R/ER on 5 H (1 BB, 3 SO) on 5.0 IP. While Rodón’s velocity was diminished, his stuff was mostly good and not as rusty as it might have been after sitting out two rotations. Michael Kopeck’s slider isn’t sliding. He gives up 5 R/ER on 4 H (1 BB, 1 HBP, 1 SO), in the 6^th, making it 9-7 Sox. Brian Goodwin contributes to the damage with a bad throw to home (E9). But the Sox bullpen breaks the Jays momentum—six up, six down for Ryan Tepera (2 SO) and the high-kicking, hard-throwing Garrett Crochet (1 SO), in the 7^th and 8^th. MLB active save leader (372 – 9^th in MLB history) Craig Kimbrel goes K, LO, 1B, GO, for his first save with the White Sox. César Hernández makes a couple of great plays in the field. OFFENSE: As Tim Anderson goes (3-for-5 today), so go the Sox. César Hernández solo HR (21), in the 2^nd. Luis Robert 2-run HR (4), scores Tim Anderson (singled), and José Abreu–DH solo HR (27), in the 3^rd. Leury Garcia 2-run 2B, scores Andrew Vaughn (walked, advanced to 2B on César Hernández 1B) and Hernández (advanced to 2B on Brian Goodwin FO); and Tim Anderson 1B scores Garcia—all in the 4^th. Seby Zavala RBI 2B scores Leury Garcia (singled), and Tim Anderson RBI 1B scores Zavala, in the 6^th. Eloy Jiménez solo HR, in the 9^th. Yoán Moncada is not in the lineup today. Watch game highlights on mlb.com:

Evan Marshall to Rehab

Evan Marshall RHP 43 — MLB Advanced Media, LP

August 26—right-handed reliever Evan Marshall has been assigned to rehab at Charlotte Knights (AAA)

Three-Game Series vs. Chicago Cubs

White Sox win series 2-1 | White Sox win 2021 Crosstown Classic 5-1

August 27—Yasmani Grandal activated from IL

Friday, August 27, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Dallas Keuchel, LHP vs.
Cubs / Keegan Thompson, RHP

W, 17-13, 75-55 (.577), W2 | WP: Reynaldo López (3-1, 1.59) | Game 130

➤ Yoán Moncada goes 1-for-4, extending his hitting streak to 13 consecutive games.

It’s a wild one! Third-highest scoring game (30 runs) in the MLB this the season. DEFENSE: Both teams’ bullpens start warming up in the 1st inning. Dallas Keuchel gives up 6 R (5 ER) on 6 H in the 1^st. He leaves the game after giving up another H to the lead-off batter (Frank Schwindel), in the 2^nd. Reynaldo López Ks the next 2, to end the inning (Schwindel is caught stealing 2B). López then retires the next 12 (7 SO on the day). Mike Wright, Jr. gives up a HR and retires 3 (1 SO) in the 7^th, followed by a lead-off BB and a 1B, in the 8^th. Garrett Crochet takes over and gives up an RBI 2B. Still no outs. Crochet retires the next 2 (1 SO), then gives up a 2-RBI 2B, before a GO gets him out of the 8^th. Craig Kimbrel throws a rough close against his former teammates—PO, K, HR, BB, 2-run HR, SO. OFFENSE: The Sox score 17 runs on 15 hits. Coming off the IL, Yasmani Grandal knocks in 8 RBIs—welcome back! José Abreu RBI 1B scores Tim Anderson (doubled), in the 1^st (6-1 Cubs). In the 3^rd, the Cubs burn through 2 pitchers, 13 batters, and 52 pitches, giving up in 8 runs: José Abreu RBI 2B scores Luis Robert (lead-off double). Yoán Moncada RBI 1B scores José Abreu. Yasmani Grandal 3-run HR (15) brings in Eloy Jiménez (reached on E6) and Moncada. Luis Robert reaches and Andrew Vaughn (HBP) scores on the second E6 of the inning. Eloy Jiménez 2-RBI 1B scores Tim Anderson (singled, advanced to 3B on E6) and Luis Robert. In the 5^th, Luis Robert RBI 1B scores Tim Anderson (doubled). Yoán Moncada GO scores Luis Robert (advanced to 2B on José Abreu 1B, advanced to 3B on Eloy Jiménez BB). Yasmani Grandal 2-run 2B scores Abreu and Jiménez (both advanced on Moncada GO). In the 7^th, Andrew Vaughn RBI 1B scores Yoán Moncada (walked, advanced to 2B on Yasmani Grandal 1B). In the 8^th, Yasmani Grandal slams a second 3-run HR (16), bringing in José Abreu (FC) and Eloy Jiménez (walked). Watch game highlights on mlb.com:

2021 Season Crosstown Classic Win Sealed at 4-0 on 8-27-2021 Win — Chicago White Sox 2021 Crosstown Classic win sealed on today’s win (Season series 4-0)

Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 6:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Lance Lynn, RHP vs.
Cubs / Alec Mills, RHP

L, 7-0, 75-56 (.573), L1 | LP: Lance Lynn (10-4, 2.59) | Game 131

➤ Yoán Moncada goes 2-for-4, extending his hitting streak to 14 consecutive games.

DEFENSE: Lance Lynn has an uncharacteristically bad outing, giving up all 7 R/ER on 7 H (2 BB, 7 SO)—including a grand slam to Rafael Ortega and 2 solo HRs to Patrick Wisdom on his 30^th birthday. José Ruiz (1 H, 1 BB, 3 SO) and Mike Wright, Jr. (1 H, 0 BB, 0 SO) pitch two scoreless innings each. OFFENSE: Cubs starter Alec Mills (8⅓ IP) and closer Codi Heuer (⅔ IP) shut out the Sox (4 H, 2 BB, 3 SO). Watch game highlights on mlb.com:

Kyle Hendricks RHP 28 - Portrait — Cease

Sunday, August 29, 2021 at 1:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Cubs / Kyle Hendricks, RHP

W, 13-1, 76-56 (.578), W1 | WP: Dylan Cease (11-6, 3.82) | Game 132

DEFENSE: Dylan Cease strikes out 11 (7 Ks), giving up just one R/ER in a beautiful 6.0 inning start. Ryan Tepera (0 SO), Michael Kopech (2 SO), and Liam Hendriks (2 SO) pitch a scoreless inning each. OFFENSE: Luis Robert solo HR (5) in the 1^st. Brian Goodwin 2-run HR (8) scores Andrew Vaughn (singled), in the 2^nd. The White Sox blow it open in the 5^th: José Abreu ground-rule 2B brings in Brian Goodwin (walked, advanced to 2B on Leury Garcia GO, advanced to 3B on Luis Robert HBP) and César Hernández (walked), Eloy Jiménez 3-run HR (8) scores Luis Robert (HBP) and José Abreu (ground-rule 2B)—all off Kyle Hendricks; Yasmani Grandal 2-run HR (17) scores Jake Lamb (singled), off Adam Morgan. It’s 10-1 Sox. Luis Robert 2-run HR scores Leury Garcia (HBP), in the 6^th. Brian Goodwin GO scores Jake Lamb (walked, advanced to 2B on Yasmani Grandal single, advanced to 3B on Andrew Vaughn walk). Yoán Moncada is not in the lineup. Watch game highlights on mlb.com:

Week of August 2-8, 2021

Three-Game Series vs. Kansas City Royals

Royals win series 2-1

Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Royals / Kris Bubic, LHP

W, 7-1, 63-44 (.589), W2 | WP: Dylan Cease (8-6, 3.92) | Game 107

DEFENSE: Dylan Cease throws a dominant, scoreless 6 innings (2 BB, 11 SO). Beautiful. Michael Kopeck gives up the Royals only run in the 7^th. Garrett Crochet works a scoreless 8^th. Ryan Tepera goes 1-2-3 in the 9^th (1 SO). OFFENSE: Royals starter Kris Bubic pitches a quality start, giving up 3 runs and striking out 8 on 6.0 IP. But Royals reliever Kyle Zimmer issues three consecutive BBs to start the 7^th, setting up a 4-run inning for the White Sox. Andrew Vaughn solo HR (12) in the 2^nd. Tim Anderson 2-run HR (10) in the 3^rd. Seby Zavala run-scoring BB, Tim Anderson RBI 1B, and José Abreu 2-RBI 1B in the 7^th. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Carlos Hernández RHP 43 - Portrait — Giolito

Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Lucas Giolito, RHP vs.
Royals / Carlos Hernández, RHP

L, 9-1, 63-45 (.583). L1 | LP: Lucas Giolito (8-8, 3.98) | Game 108

DEFENSE: Lucas Giolito doesn’t have it tonight. He gives up 6 ER on 4.0 IP (8 H, 6 R, 0 BB, 2 SO). Reliever Matt Foster (called up 8/3) pitches 2.0 clean innings. José Ruiz throws the next 2.0 IP, giving up 3 ER on 4 H (1 BB, 0 SO). Aaron Bummer goes 1-2-3 in the 9^th (1 SO). OFFENSE: José Abreu solo HR (19) in the 4^th produces the only run for the White Sox. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Daniel Lynch LHP 52 - Portrait — Keuchel

Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Dallas Keuchel, LHP vs.
Royals / Daniel Lynch, LHP

L, 3-2, 63-46 (.578), L2 | LP: Dallas Keuchel (7-5, 4.44) | Game 109

DEFENSE: Dallas Keuchel – 3 H, 2 R/ER, 3 BB, 5 SO on 6.0+ IP. OFFENSE: José Abreu solo HR (20) with two outs in the 1^st. Eloy Jiménez RBI 2B in the 8^th. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Three-Game Series at Chicago Cubs

White Sox sweep series 3-0 | 2021 Crosstown Classic 3-0 (continues August 27)

• Third-ever 3-game sweep vs. Cubs
• Tied Cubs for most HRs in a 6-game span ever at Wrigley Field (20)
• Cubs only team to allow 3+ first-inning HRs in multiple games this season (2)

…just sayin.

Friday, August 6, 2021 at 1:20 pm CDT
Wrigley Field
Lance Lynn, RHP vs.
Cubs / Kyle Hendricks, RHP

W, 8-6, 64-46 (.582), W1 | WP: Liam Hendriks (6-2, 2.40) | Game 110

DEFENSE: Following a 17-minute rain delay, with the Cubs wearing their “Wrigleyville” City Connect unis, Lance Lynn delivers another high-quality start, giving up just 1 run and striking out 8 on 6.0+ IP (4 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB), to bring his ERA down to 2.04. Lynn does face one batter (Andrew Romine) in the 7^th, who bunts a 1B, before Tony La Russa calls it a day. Lynn gets little help from the bullpen. Still in the 7^th, Michael Kopeck throws a BB, a flyout, and a sac fly run. Aaron Bummer then retires Patrick Wisdom on a flyout (with the help of Brian Goodwin) to end the inning. When Greg Kimbrel takes the mound in the 8^th, his former teammates have his number. He blows the save, allowing 3 singles and giving up a 3-run homer (to Andrew Romine, who has not hit a big league HR since 2017) to tie the game at 4. Liam Hendriks steps in to stop the bleeding, with three swinging strikeouts (1H), in the 9^th. Garrett Crochet gives up a 2-run HR (0 BB, 0 SO), in the 10^th. OFFENSE: In the 9^th, former White Sox Codi Heuer (1 BB) pitches well against his former teammates, striking out Tim Anderson, and pitching José Abreu into a groundout double play. Earlier, Andrew Vaughn RBI 1B, in the 4^th. César Hernández 2-run HR (his 1^st as a White Sox, 19^th on the season), in the 8^th. It’s still 4-4 at the end of 9. In the 10^th, Brian Goodwin 2-run HR (7), Gavin Sheets–PH and Tim Anderson knock an RBI 1B each. Cubs first baseman Frank Schwindel answers with a 2-run HR of his own, but it’s not enough to clinch the first game of the crosstown series. Notably, La Russa subs out Eloy Jiménez (1-for-4) for a pinch runner (Brian Goodwin), after he doubles, in the 6^th. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

August 6—Jake Lamb activated from rehab

Adbert Alzolay RHP 73 - Portrait — Rodón

Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 1:20 pm CDT
Wrigley Field
Carlos Rodón, LHP vs.
Cubs / Adbert Alzolay, RHP

W, 4-0, 65-46 (.586), W2 | WP: Carlos Rodón (9-5) | Game 111

DEFENSE: Carlos Rodón throws another gem, striking out 11 in 5.0+ shutout innings (2 H, 2 BB). After Rodón issues his second consecutive lead-off walk in the 6^th, La Russa sends in Michael Kopech, who immediately gets the first out (K), then gives up a base hit, then gets the second out (PO), leaving Cubs runners on the corners. José Abreu gets him out of the jam with an arm-extended-lunge-position catch at 1^st, for the final out (GO to Yoán Moncada at 3^rd). With Kopech subbed out for pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets, Aaron Bummer takes the mound in the 7^th (1 H, 2 SO). In the wake of yesterday’s disaster, Craig Kimbrel gets back on the horse to pitch a clean 1-2-3 inning, in the 8^th. Ryan Tepera takes on 4 of his former teammates in the 9^th, to clinch the shutout (1 H, 1 SO). OFFENSE: Yoán Moncada 2-RBI 2B in the 1^st. Back-to-back solo HRs by César Hernández (20 – 18 CLE, 2 CWS) and José Abreu (21), in the 8^th. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Sunday, August 8, 2021 at 6:08 pm CDT
Wrigley Field – ESPN Sunday Night Baseball
Exclusively on ABC
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Cubs / Zach Davies, RHP

W, 9-3, 66-46 (.589), W3 | WP: Dylan Cease (9-6, 3.99) | Game 112

DEFENSE: Dylan Cease throws a solid 5.0 inning start, giving up 3 earned and striking out 10 (5 H, 3 R, 3 BB). His command waivers a bit in the 2^nd and 3^rd, but he recovers, retiring the next 6 Cubs (5 of them strikeouts), in the 4^th and 5^th. (Cease currently has the largest home-road ERA differential in the AL.) Reynaldo López delivers a scoreless 2 innings (1 H, 3 SO) in the 6^th and 7^th. Ryan Tepera goes 1-2-3 (0 SO) in the 8^th. José Ruiz strikes out 3 in the 9^th. The 2021 White Sox now have the most 10+ strikeout games in a season in franchise history (17)—and it’s only August 8. OFFENSE: On national TV, the Sox proudly smash 3 HRs in the 1^st—Tim Anderson solo HR (11) off the first pitch of the game, Eloy Jiménez 2-run HR (2) brings in Adam Engel (singled), and Andrew Vaughn 2-run HR (13) brings in Yoán Moncada (walked). Most first-inning HRs in a road game in franchise history, and the first time White Sox hit 3 first-inning HRs since 07/03/2012. Eloy Jiménez 2-RBI double, in the 2^nd. Eloy Jiménez solo HR (3) in the 5^th. Andrew Vaughn RBI 1B, in the 7^th. La Russa had given Tim Anderson the night off, but TA comes in early for some extra BP and talks his way back into the lineup, telling La Russa, “I found something.” And so he did. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

White Sox Acquire Craig Kimbrel

Craig-Kimbrel-RHP-46-Red-Sox-Portrait — Matt Stone for the Boston Herald

July 30—The Chicago Cubs trade veteran right-handed closer and 8x All-Star Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox for injured second baseman Nick Madrigal (sad face) and RHP Codi Heuer. Kimbrel has the most career saves (368) of any active pitcher, and is 9^th on the all-time saves list. He was drafted by Atlanta in the third round of the 2008 draft, and debuted with the Braves in 2010. He was subsequently traded to the Padres, Red Sox, and Cubs. Kimbral joins the Sox with a season-to-date ERA of 0.49 and 64 SO on 36 ⅔ IP. Publicly at least, Liam Hendriks is handling the trade like a champ.

White Sox Acquire Ryan Tepera

Ryan Tepera RHP (Cubs) — MLB Advanced Media, LP

July 29—The Chicago Cubs trade right-handed reliever Ryan Tepera to the White Sox for A+ LHP Bailey Horn, who came to the Sox from Auburn University in the fifth round of the 2020 draft. Tepera received a three-game suspension early this season for intentionally hitting Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff. He was one of four Cubs pitchers to throw a combined no-hitter against the Dodgers on 06/24/2021. His season-to-date ERA is 2.91 with 50 SO on 43 ⅓ IP.

Wrigley Field Organist Celebrates 2,500 Games

September 2, 2017— On August 28th, Gary Pressy (age 59) graced the keys of the Lowrey organ at Wrigley Field, enhancing a great evening of baseball for the 38,453 fans who came to watch the Cubs defeat the Pirates 6-1. The game marked his 2,500^th consecutive performance. Pressy has played the organ at every Cubs home game since he became the sole organist at Wrigley field in 1987. Gary celebrated the occasion by singing “Take Me Out to The Ballgame” (while playing the organ) during the seventh-inning stretch—for only the second time in his thirty-one seasons as organist. His first vocal performance was just over a year ago, at his 2,400^th game. Follow Gary on Twitter at @GaryPressy.

First Night Game at Wrigley

The first-ever night game at Wrigley Field was scheduled for 8-8-88 (August 8, 1988, at 6:05 PM) against the Phillies. Prior to July 1988, when installation of the lights was completed, Wrigley Field had for years been the only Major League ballpark that lacked the lighting necessary for night games.¹ The Wrigleyville neighbors had long resisted the installation of lights, believing that the noise from night baseball would diminish the quality of life in the neighborhood. Eventually, after years of debate, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance authorizing eighteen night games per year at Wrigley Field.

Things got off to a rocky start in the fist inning when Cubs pitcher, Rick Sutcliffe, gave up a home run to Phil Bradley, the first batter he faced. (In fairness, Sutcliffe’s vision may have been effected by the thousands of camera flashes that were fired as he delivered the first pitch.) Sutcliffe got out of the inning with no further damage, and Ryne Sandburg hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the first, putting the Cubs up 2-1. This happened immediately after a thwarted attempt by “Morganna the Kissing Bandit” to accost Sandburg.

Long story short, at 8:14 PM, in the bottom of the fourth inning with the Cubs up 3-1, it started to rain. Hard. (Officially, 1.19 inches of rain fell between 8:14 PM and shortly after midnight.) At 10:25 PM, following some impromptu body surfing on the waterlogged, tarp-covered mound by Greg Maddux and others, the game was called—just six outs shy of an official game. The Cubs Organization’s well-crafted plan to hold the first night game on 8-8-88 was not to be realized.

The first official game under the lights happened the next evening—on August 9th—when the Cubs defeated the Mets 6-4.

Endnote

¹ The first club to install lighting for night games was the Cincinnati Reds, who played their first game under the lights at Crosby Field on May 24, 1935.