Home run, new extra-inning rule and a walk off win among highlights at June meeting

A game-tying A.J. Reed home run late in the game, an extra inning that featured runners placed at second and a game-winning single, clinching a win for the Round Rock Express, and a former National League batting champion making his debut with the Iowa Cubs were among the highlights at the June chapter meeting for seventeen chapter members and guests.

The Express topped the Iowa Cubs 2-1 in 10 innings at the Dell Diamond. It was the first time many of us saw the new extra inning rule in which a runner is placed at second base to start every inning until a winner emerges. The base runner is the hitter in the order previous to the leadoff batter in extra innings. The public address announcer explained the new rule at the top of the 10th inning, prompting at least one of our members to boo heartily. It caused a good amount of disagreeable grumbling among our group. The Cubs were unable to score their runner, while the Express walked it off with a Lorenzo Quintana base hit.

Many in the group were hoping to see 20-year-old Yordan Alvarez, who has 20 home runs on the season, but he had a rest day. Still, we kept an eye on the dugout for Hug Watch in case an Alvarez call-up was imminent.

Another hot prospect for the Astros, right fielder Kyle Tucker, who has 16 home runs, had a quiet night at the plate, going 0-4 with two strikeouts.

The most recognizable name on the Cubs’ starting lineup was Carlos Gonzalez, the former Colorado Rockies slugger and National League Batting Champ in 2010. He was most recently with the Cleveland Indians, who signed him this season, but after a lackluster performance, released him. He joined the Iowa Cubs on May 30 in an attempt to return to the big leagues. This game was his debut with the Triple-A team; he went 0-4 with a strikeout.

Some of us stuck around for the post-game fireworks. And, for completeness, Chicken White won the chicken race, granting our section coupons for five free wings at Plucker’s.

Prior to the game, 10 of us gathered for bbq dinner at the Salt Lick. Because of other reservations, we were not able to make our own reservation, but they were able to seat our group within a half hour and we made it to the game just prior to first pitch.

This meeting was the 151st consecutive month with a chapter meeting. The July meeting hasn’t been scheduled yet, so look for an announcement later this month.