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On May 6, 1998, Chicago Cubs’ pitcher Kerry Wood was making the fifth start of his rookie season when he threw for 20 strikeouts. It was a feat which had only been accomplished by one other person before him, “The Rocket” Roger Clemens.
Fans smiling nostalgically
Wood was unbelievable that day 25-years ago, throwing for no walks and allowing no runs on just a single hit. It is recognized by many baseball fans to be the best single game performance ever made by a pitcher.
Houston’s lineup was no joke and their “Killer B’s” Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell are both in the Hall of Fame. There were two base runners allowed. One of them was Biggio who was the leading the league in being hit by pitches. The Cubs won that game 1-0.
In today’s game, Wood threw out the first pitch and the game was underway with fans smiling nostalgically.
Drew Smyly had been exceptional in the first month of the season but just didn’t have his best stuff today. He got pulled after giving up a couple of runs after three and two-thirds innings and over 70 pitches.
The Cubs relievers held off the Marlins but the offense couldn’t get out of the 2-1 deficit they found themselves in. They took it into the seventh inning.
Wood was just starting to crack open the conversation in the top of the seventh inning when he was interrupted by the quick third out. He then sang a pretty good rendition of Take Me Out to The Ballgame during the stretch.
During the bottom of the seventh, the Cubs loaded the bases. But with two outs, Suzuki struck out leaving all the runners stranded.
Madrigal came through in a big way
Still down in the bottom of the eighth, Cody Bellinger and Trey Mancini got on base before Nick Madrigal came through in a big way. He got a big base hit into right field and Bellinger and the pinch running Valazquez both scored to give the Cubs the lead.
With one out remaining, Madrigal proved that he wasn’t finished with his heroics. He made a diving stop and threw out the runner to seal the game.
