4/4/84: The Cubs left something in San Francisco in the bottom of the 8th

The Chicago Cubs left something in San Francisco in the bottom of the 8th inning, that something was their bullpen. Given a 6-4 lead coming into the bottom of the 8th, Lee Smith tried to do everything humanly possible to earn a 2-inning save, Smith did just the opposite, facing 6 batters without an out as the Giants stunned the Cubbies, 9-6.

No insurance in 8th, then no bullpen

The Cubs took a 6-4 lead into the top of the 8th with every intention of picking up an insurance run, PH Keith Moreland doubled with 1 out, then advanced to 3rd on a line single by Jody Davis. PH Henry Cotto bounced to 3rd with the infield in, eliminating Moreland at 3rd, then after Tom Veryzer was HBP, Bob Dernier bounced to 3rd, ending the inning. Lee Smith came on to try to secure the save and the win for Chuck Rainey, but nothing went right. Joel Youngblood singled to lead off the inning, then Chili Davis walked. Bob Brenly doubled to center, scoring Youngblood and advancing Chili to 3rd. Gene Richards then PH for Bob Lacey with the infield in and brought Brenly and Davis home, giving the Giants a 7-6 lead with still nobody out. Johnnie LeMaster reached on an error to short, then Manny Trillo singled, loading the bases and forcing Lee Smith from the game without retiring a single Giant.

Brusstar saved the inning, but

Warren Brusstar then took over for Smith and got Jack Clark to ground into a DP to Veryzer, scoring Richards, with LeMaster moving to 3rd, Al Oliver then scored Lemaster with a single and Jeff Leonard struck out, saving the inning for Brusstar and the Cubs. The Cubs went very quietly in the 9th, making the Giant comeback complete and a winner out of Bob Lacey, with Greg Minton pitching a perfect 9th.

SFG 9-12-0 CHC 6-10-1 WP-Lacey 1-0 LP-Smith 0-2 HR-Sandberg (1) GWRBI-Richards (1) SFG 2-0 CHC 0-2 

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