Running the Bases with Alexandra Shloss: Game #31 Cubs v. Astros 7/1/12

This is the day I met Erin Fitzgerald, a feisty gal with a hankering for Tony Campana.

Spirits were high before the game.

Oh, and I got to meet Anthony Rizzo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here we are with Danny, our favorite usher. He usually ushes in our section.

I was excited that LaHomer would be playing in the All-Star game. I just love him.

Big surprise. I'm at a game and there's a rain-out.

Soriano was the Edward Jones Player of the Month for June. I can't say enough how exciting his resurgence has been!

Erin Fitzgerald is pictured here with her favorite player Tony Campana. She came up from Peoria with her mom to watch the game. She had a jersey made and signs galore. All she talked about was wanting to meet Tony, and her dream came true!

This little lass threw out the first pitch.

I bet James Russell asked her out after this.

Warmups continued after the rain delay.

It's Scott Mean!

Starlin Castro threw Erin a ball. It really was her day!

With Travis Wood on the mound, I was confident. He was outstanding.

Also, this baby is cute.

With Wandy Rodriguez on the mound for the Astros, the Cubs struggled to find a way on base. But Travis was pitching like a DUDE and the Astros weren't getting on base either.

In the bottom of the fifth, Darwin singled. But that was it.

He's such a great fielder.

Travis Wood was definitely getting it done on the mound.

But in the sixth inning, he decided he would get it done offensively too. He started off the inning with a double.

Reed Johnson grounded out, advancing Wood to third.

(Also, Harry Potter was at the game.

)

Castro was intentionally walked, I guess because pitchers really wanted to face Rizzo.

Big surprise--Rizzo singled, driving in Wood and moving over Castro to third. Cubs lead 1-0.

Jeff Baker doubled, driving in Rizzo and Castro

Here's this cute baby again!

Here's some kids loving the Cubs!

Casey Coleman had been called up!

Here's a cute baby again!

Travis continued to be outstanding. With two out and a runner on in the top of the eighth, Travis Wood left the game to a grand ovation. We love him.

The boys talk as Shawn Camp warms.

Stress.

Camp kept Bixler at first and we left the inning leading 3-0.

DramaMarmol came on to finish the game.

Tony Campana came in at center, probably just for Erin.

The baby really enjoyed the day.

Other than a Carlos Lee double, no harm was done, and the Cubs won!

Then something magical happened. A woman came up to me and said, "I've been watching you cheer with all your signs, and I think you're the biggest Cubs fan I've ever seen. You deserve this." She had an extra pass to get on the field!