The Cubs seem to have gotten themselves in a difficult pattern. They tend to fall behind early in games and rely on late inning heroics to bail them out. It happened again last night, trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the 9th to the Nationals. Washington ace, Max Scherzer struck out 11 and gave up only 3 hits over 7 innings to take a 1-0 lead over heavyweight contender Cole Hamels, making his Cubs debut at Wrigley Field. Hamels only allowed one hit and struck-out 9, but that hit after a walk allowed the Nats to score on a sacrifice fly. Cubs reliever, Brandon Kintzler, then put his team in an even bigger hole when two more runs scored in the top of the 9th after Kyle Schwarber misplayed a double off the brick wall on the third base side. The Nats had all but wrapped-up the series….but wait!

As David Bote stepped to the plate to pinch-hit last night, I couldn’t help but think back eighteen days ago when I was at Wrigley Field with my family. He hit a two-run ninth inning homer to tie that game against the Diamondbacks, allowing Anthony Rizzo to win it with a walk-off. It was one of the most amazing finishes I’ve ever witnessed. At that point in the season, they had just registered their league-leading 31st come-from-behind-victory. Last night marked the 35th time in 68 victories where the Cubs somehow bounced back to win. It’s not good for the heart, but it takes a lot of heart to do!

It was a classic “Casey At The Bat” moment for David Bote. (See Post #64). The bases were loaded with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and strike two had just crossed the plate. The “Mighty Bote” made Wrigley Field magic with a game winning Grand Slam. There was little doubt when it left his bat, and little left of his jersey as he crossed home plate. I had almost given up on the Cubs at that point, so I’m glad I was still tuned-in when he was announced as the pinch-hitter. It was fun to be a Cubs fan last night, and I’m envious of those that were there to experience the moment live – like Bill Murray who gave him a hug after the game. Bote made our day special at Wrigley Field with my three grand kids as we sang “Go Cubs Go,” following his two-run homer, so I can just imagine how the place erupted for a Grand Slam “W.”