EDITOR’S NOTE: This story originally ran here five years ago. Lightly edited, here it is again, on the game’s 35th anniversary.
The 1989 Cubs had held first place for much of May and June, but a seven-game losing streak at the end of June had dumped them out of first place, and as they entered the game against the Giants at Wrigley Field July 20, they were 2½ games out of the top spot in the N.L. East.
Mike LaCoss, who was a good but not great pitcher, shut the Cubs down for the first seven innings with no runs on just three hits, striking out nine.