The Northwestern offensive punch returned today as they defeated Illinois 7-5 Sunday.
We saw too much of this today
Illini starter Kevin Manson saw way too many celebrations at home plate, today. He gave up four Wildcat homeruns in 4 2/3 innings. Unfortunately, Manson was throwing beach balls as everything they hit was hit hard even the outs. Manson has had some excellent games this season but this wasn’t one of them. Five runs and eight hits during his outing.
Reliever Mike Sterk (above) did a good job keeping the Illini in it when he came in with one out in the seventh. He managed to get out of the inning with just a sac fly then pitched two scoreless innings.
Josh Parr rounds second on Willie Argo’s homer
All things considered, the Illini did well to score five runs considering that they had as many hits in the game. Four came on homeruns. Josh Parr hit a two-run shot in the second to draw first blood for Illinois. It was his first in his career. Later in the game, Willie Argo also hit a two-run homer.
Argo also scored the other run. It was an excellently played base running move. With Christian Cummins stuck in a pickle between first and second, Argo, who was on second and probably saw nothing to lose, broke for home. The throw was off-line and Argo was safe and so was Cummins at second. Well played!
Kevin McMurray, Mike Altobelli, and John Lutes don their ninth-inning rally caps
The eighth inning Argo homerun did breathe life into the game and brought the Illini within two runs. Unfortunately, the score remained 7-5 and Illinois lost the series to the Wildcats 2-1.
It didn’t help that the middle of the order was silent. The 3, 4, 5 and 6 batters in the lineup were a combined 0 for 15 for the game.
And yes, in case you wondering, that was secondbaseman Zach Morton who came in to pitch for Northwestern. Morton pitched 4 innings for the win.
Here’s the link to today’s game’s photo gallery.
Next up
Two midweek games at home this week. We’re playing Southern Illinois on Tuesday and Butler on Wednesday.
My friend Robin pointed out to me that there are only six home games left in the 2010 season. This season is going by quick.