It’s been a very long time between games, but the wait was worth it. Getting an invite from my friend Jon to join him at the Cubs’ finale with the Mariners was the highlight of the week. Throw in excellent Mid-June weather and you’ve got a great afternoon game at Wrigley.

Arriving well before the gates opened, I was able to check out the neighborhood and the various changes. The biggest change to the neighborhood isn’t complete, nor is it especially welcome. I don’t begrudge the Cubs for increasing their sources of revenue, because every team is heading in that direction. However, I don’t think selling your soul to sports betting is the way to go. The unfished buildout to the DraftKings betting parlor does nothing to enhance the exterior of Wrigley Field, nor do I think its presence will enhance the game experience.

After circling the hood a few times, I settled on a bench in Gallagher Way, admired the statues and watched folks play catch.

The Cubs entered the season finale having one four of the first five games against the Rangers and Mariners. With their ace, Marcus Stroman on the mound, a sweep was possible.

As was the case when I went to Wrigley over 50 years ago, I was immediately heartened by the beautiful green field as I emerged from the bowels of the ballpark. Unfortunately, the Mariners were finishing up and I didn’t get to see any BP. However, I did have the chance to chat briefly with Seattle’s manager, Scott Servais. During a broadcast last week, someone mentioned he is the second longest tenured manager in Mariners history (behind only Lou Piniella). More important to the post at hand, Servais caught for the Cubs from 1995-98, and was thus a member of the 97-98 teams I referenced the other day.

When I asked him if he remembered where he was 25 seasons ago, he laughed and asked where I was. He said that the key to the team’s turnaround in ’98 was the change in middle infielders, Mickey Morandini and Jeff Blauser for Ryne Sandberg and Shawon Dunston. I had hoped to find out what happened with the pitching staff. He said that 1998 was the most enjoyable season in his long career-until last year’s playoff run with the Mariners.

The two biggest off-field news items of the day were the absence of Dansby Swanson in the lineup and the team and Ian Happ agreeing to a 3-year contract extension. For whatever reason, the Cubs only noted this on the digital scroll on the video board. The news was met with quiet indifference.

Stroman escaped the first inning with a sharp single by first baseman, Ty France. France would be a thorn in the Cubs’ side all afternoon. While not exactly light on his feet, he proved capable on several chances all game.

The Cubs seemed to pick off where they left off Tuesday night when they bounced back and won 14-9. Nico Hoener (playing short for the first time this season) singled to lead off the bottom of the first. Second baseman, Nick Madrigal followed with a single, but was erased on an Ian Happ fielder’s choice.

Seattle’s starter, Gilbert settled in after allowing Hoerner to score on a Cody Bellinger sacrifice fly to left. He retired the next 12 hitters before Miles Mastrobuoni singled in the 5th inning.

Meanwhile the Mariners ended Stroman’s shutout streak with a pair of runs in the 3rd. Eugenio Suarez and Teoscar Hernandez both singled home runs giving Seattle a 2-1 lead-which they’d never relinquish. Stroman was completely out of sync that inning. It was hard to figure if he was rattled by some inconsistent calls behind the plate or if it was physical. Either way, he was perfect for the next three innings.

Newcomer, Brad Boxberger looked a little shaky, walking #9 hitter, J.P Crawford, and surrendering back-to-back singles to Rodriguez and France. The latter scoring Crawford and giving Seattle a 3-1 lead.

Gilbert’s afternoon ended after walking Bellinger to lead off the 7th and walking Patrick Wisdom two outs later. Matt Brash retired Tucker Barnhart to end the threat and inning.

For some goofy-ass reason, Ross brought Julian Merryweather in to give the game away. No good could come from this move as Merryweather has yet to prove he’s ready for the big moment. Maybe he thought since the weather was so merry/beautiful that fate would intervene. Instead, reality struck, and Hernandez crushed a homer to deep left field. Not to be outdone, leftfielder Jarred Kelenic smoked a ball, 482 feet into the second deck of the CF bleachers.

Bellinger hit a one-out, solo shot off reliever Paul Seward in the bottom of the 9th-closing the gap at 5-2.

26,944 fans were not treated to a Cubs sweep, but we enjoyed 77 degrees, sunshine and a game played in 2 hours and 31 minutes.

Stroman was solid through six-although his ERA jumped to 1.00. Bellinger tallied two more RBI, Nico and Madrigal played their original positions, Kelenic continued to rake and Rodriguez had a very quiet 2-5. Aside from a remarkably bad order of nachos, it was an excellent day at the ballpark in the company of a good friend and knowledgeable baseball guy.

Marcus Stroman 6IP 5H 2ER 6K 2BB

Kelenic circling the bases after his third homer of the series. Logan Gilbert 6.2 IP 4H 1ER 7K 1BB