Round 3 - SFG(6) holds off #2 Cubbies in 5 game classic series.

GAME 1 – Wrigley Field

Bumgarner vs Arrieta

Cubs 2, Giants 1 (11 inn)

Both aces gave up just one run and matched each other pitch for pitch.  The pens were solid as well.  After 9 innings of play the game remained tied 1-1.  Neither team scored in the 10^th and after Jason Motte set down the Jints in order in the top of the 11^th Dexter Fowler led off the bottom of the inning with a walk off 365 foot homer off of Petit to set off the fireworks on Addison.

Cubs lead series 1-0

GAME 2

Heston vs Lester

Cubs 6, Giants 1

Chris Heston was victimized for 5 runs over the first 2 innings and the Cubbies never looked back.  Jon Lester earned all of his free agent money with 8 shutout innings of 3 hit ball.  Kris Bryant hit a 2 run shot and Anthony Rizzo hit a solo shot.  Bryant (2-4) had 3 RBI’s.  A Hunter Pence 9^th inning blast off reliever Hector Rondon broke up the shutout.

Cubs lead series 2-0

GAME 3 – AT&T Park

Hendricks vs Hudson

Giants 9, Cubs 4

In a must win game 3 the Giants rose to the challenge.  Cub starter Liam Hendricks (7 ER / 5 IP) was putrid.  Buster Posey, fresh from delivering babies, was dominant.  San Fran’s All-Star catcher was 4-4 with 2 RBI’s and 2 runs scored.  The Brandons, Belt and Crawford, each knocked in two as well.  After Chicago scored 2 runs in the top of the 5^th to make it a one run game, Posey and company posted a 5 spot to stave off elimination.  Tim Hudson (1 ER / 6.1 IP) was solid while recording the win.

Cubs lead series 2-1

GAME 4

Hammel vs Peavy

Giants 11, Cubs 1

Jake Peavy fanned 12, while allowing just one while completing the circuit.  Cub hitters were made to look foolish by Peavey who looked more like his 2007 Cy Young version than the battle-scarred 2015 version.  Rookie sensation Kris Bryant was forced to wear the sombrero.  Catcher Montero was one K away from sharing the hat.   Every Jint, including Peavy had a hit, with 6 having at least 2.  Pence, Aoki and Belt each went yard.

Series tied 2-2

GAME 5 – Wrigley Field

Bumgarner vs Arrieta

Giants 2, Cubs 1

In a rematch of game 1 starters fans were once again treated to two great pitching performances.  With all the marbles on the line in this decisive game 5 Madbum and Jake were both spectacular.  The Jints drew first blood with a Matt Duffy RBI single in the top of the 1^st.  A Tomlinson two out two bagger scored Belt to make it 2-0.  Arrieta shut the door after that and would not allow another run.  Unfortunately for him and the “cursed” Cubbes, Madbum found a way to get out of 3 jams and not allow a run.  The byproduct of his magic was a hearty 129 pitch count after 6, which forced the Jints to go to their pen.  In the bottom of the 7^th Fowler led off with his 2^nd homer of the series to make it 2-1, but Javy Lopez  and Santiago Casilla would combine to strike out 6 of the next 9 batters, including the final 3 to clinch the series  and advance the Jints to the Final 4

Giants win series 3-2

Editor's Note:  Congrats to Andy for not only making the final 4 with the Jints, but making the WS in KOD.  Gr8 series to play, as I was subbing for Mike Hill (sorry for letting you down).  It was really cool seeing the Wrigley Field backdrop picture that I took during my summer road trip.  I believe Dave packaged my photos from:  CIN, STL, CUB, CHW, MIL, CLE, NYM and PHI with the 2016 game.  Also, the cards posted here for Dexter Fowler and Jon Lester were from pictures that I took during the NLCS at Citi Field from the Promenade Deck.