Photo Maddux Joins Elite Group

By Jeremy Kahn

July 27, 2005
San Francisco Giants' Deivi Cruz (35) celebrates with teammate Omar Vizquel, right, after scoring on a single by Jason Ellison during the 11th inning early Wednesday, July 27, 2005, in Chicago as Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett, left, shows his disappointment. The run was the difference in the Giants' 3-2 victory in a game that started after a rain delay Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
 



When Omar Vizquel was caught looking at strike three to end the top of third inning, veteran right-hander Greg Maddux joined a very exclusive club.

Maddux became just the ninth pitcher to record 3,000 strikeouts and 300 wins in a career, and the only pitcher in history to record both milestones against the same franchise. The late (final pitch at 1:17 am) outcome was a happy one for Giants fans, as the visitors defeated the Cubs 3-2 in 11 innings.

In addition to the historic whiff, Maddux went eight innings, allowing eight hits and two runs in a game that was delayed two hours and 43 minutes at the start because of rain in Chicago.

Deivi Cruz and Mike Matheny hit back-to-back singles off eventual losing pitcher Glendon Rusch in the 11th. After Yorvit Torrealba struck out versus Michael Wuertz, Jason Ellison drove in the game-winner when he lashed a single that scored Matheny from second base.

Jason Christiansen pitched two solid innings to earn his sixth win of the season, and one night after blowing a save opportunity, closer Tyler Walker induced a double play to garner his 16th save in 21 chances since assuming the closer’s role back in April, when Armando Benitez went down with a torn right hamstring.

J.T. Snow gave the Giants a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh inning, when he singled to drive in a run.

That lead only lasted until the bottom of the 8th inning, when former Cubs reliever LaTroy Hawkins gave up a game-tying solo home run to Michael Barrett.

Maddux joins Walter Johnson, Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton, Gaylord Perry, Roger Clemens, Don Sutton, Tom Seaver and Phil Niekro with 300 wins and 3,000 whiffs. Of that group, only Walter Johnson pitched before 1962.

Noah Lowry continued his recent string of solid outings. In five innings of work, Lowry did not allow a run, and scattered just four hits. Lowry also helped out his own cause, when he drove in the Giants first run with a fifth inning squeeze bunt.

 

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