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Tuesday, Jun. 13 8:05pm ET
Error opens door for Cubs | |||||
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GAME LOG
CHICAGO (AP) -- John Franco's footwork, or lack of it, might have cost the New York Mets. Pinch-runner Damon Buford scored from second on a throwing error by shortstop Kurt Abbott in the eighth inning, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 4-3 victory over the Mets on Tuesday night. With the game tied 3-3 and one out in the eighth, Henry Rodriguez singled off Franco (2-2) and was removed for Buford. Joe Girardi singled, advancing Buford to second, and pinch-hitter Glenallen Hill hit a grounder to first baseman Todd Zeile. Zeile threw to Abbott at second for the force, but Abbott's throw to Franco, covering first, was wide and behind the pitcher, and bounced against the fence near the Mets dugout. "I didn't think it was a bad throw at all," said Abbott, filling in for injured Rey Ordonez. "If I did, I'd tell you." "It looked like John didn't get fully turned around," Mets manager Bobby Valentine said. "I was trying to feel for the bag," Franco said. "It probably wasn't a bad throw. It's just one of those things." Felix Heredia (3-1) picked up the win with a perfect eighth, while Rick Aguilera got three outs for his 13th save in 17 opportunities. Aguilera has not allowed an earned run in his last eight outings. Cubs starter Kevin Tapani did not get a decision, but might have made a good impression on teams interested in a starter for the stretch. His name, as well as teammate Sammy Sosa's, has been mentioned in trade rumors. Tapani dismissed such talk. "From the way I look at it, they wouldn't be looking to deal me if I'm doing a good job for them," Tapani said. "You don't rebuild by subtracting. "What would you get for me? A 36-year-old guy with a broken bone in his hand and a bad back?" Tapani said, laughing. Back-to-back doubles by Sosa and Mark Grace with two outs in the first off Rick Reed gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead. The Mets loaded the bases with one out in the second and tied the game on Jason Tyner's sacrifice fly. Jay Payton walked to lead off the fifth and reached third on Derek Bell's single. Tapani struck out the next two batters before Robin Ventura drove in both runners with a double to make it 3-1. "If I get a hit, we lose," Ventura said. "So if I have to go 0-for the rest of the season, I will." Jeff Huson led off the Cubs fifth with a bunt single, advanced on Tapani's sacrifice and a wild pitch by Reed, and scored on Eric Young's sacrifice fly to second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo in shallow center. With two outs in the seventh, Young singled, stole second and scored on Brant Brown's single to tie it at 3 and chase Reed. Tapani gave up three runs on five hits and five walks in seven innings, striking out six. "They're a good veteran lineup. They really make you be on your game to beat them," Tapani said of the Mets. "He didn't have his best control," Cubs manager Don Baylor said. "Nothing major, but he kept us in the ballgame. His record doesn't speak for what he's done." Reed gave up three runs on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings, with no walks and six strikeouts. Game notesReed is 0-3 in six career appearances at Wrigley Field. ... The Mets will make up Sunday's rainout against the Yankees on July 8 in a unique doubleheader. The two will play a day game at Shea Stadium as scheduled, and a makeup night game at Yankee Stadium. It's the first time since Sept. 7, 1903, that two major league games will be played between the same teams on the same day at different stadiums. ... Carlton Fisk, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in July, sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh-inning stretch. ... Cubs shortstop Jose Nieves, sidelined with a strained hamstring, will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday at Class A Daytona. | ALSO SEE Baseball Scoreboard NY Mets Clubhouse Chicago Cubs Clubhouse RECAPS Chi. White Sox 4 Cleveland 3
Chicago Cubs 4
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