Cubs lose series finale to the Phillies, 6-4; Kerry Wood and Ryan Dempster injury updates

The Cubs lost the series finale 6-4 to the Phillies and end up with a 2-2 split for the series.  Chris Volstad started for the Cubs but didn't get off to a good start when he gave up four runs in the first inning to put the Cubs in a 4-0 hole.  Volstad was replaced in the sixth inning with Scott Maine when the score was 4-1.

Chris Volstad didn't get off to a good start against Phillies in the series finale tonight (photo from cubs.com)

However, the Cubs came alive and scored three runs in the eighth inning to tie the game at 4-4 from Bryan LaHair's two-run homer, which was his fifth of the season.

But in the bottom of the eighth inning, reliever Scott Maine hit Juan Pierre with a pitch and then Rafael Dolis came into the game and gave up a two-out single to Jimmy Rollins and a two-run double to Placide Polanco, which gave the Phillies a 6-4 lead.  The Cubs couldn't recover after that and ended up losing the series finale.

Kerry Wood, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 14th with shoulder fatigue, threw a bullpen session today with 22 pitches, including six sliders.  Wood gave a thumbs up when asked how he was feeling and is expected to return to the roster this Thursday.  Cubs manager Dale Sveum said that he plans to ease Wood back into the setup role so he may pitch in the seventh inning upon his return. 

Cubs reliever Kerry Wood is scheduled to return to the roster on Thursday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Ryan Dempster is also on track to return to the roster and make the start for the Cubs on Thursday.  He threw a successful bullpen session today and said, "I feel good and ready to go." 

Cubs starter Ryan Dempster is also scheduled to return to the roster on Thursday (photo from cubs.com)

Since Wood and Dempster are both scheduled to return to the roster on Thursday, the Cubs will have to also shift two players off the 25-man toster.  Randy Wells, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa to take Dempster's spot in the rotation, also threw a bullpen session today and will be available to pitch out of the bullpen starting Tuesday.  Sveum said he will decide Thursday whether they will utilize Wells in the bullpen or have him go to Iowa to stay stretched out as a starter.

Cubs pitcher Randy Wells could either stay on the roster in the bullpen or go to Iowa to stay stretched out (photo from Chicago Tribune)

The Cubs will travel to Cincinnati tomorrow to play the first of a three-game series against the Reds at 6:10pm CT.  Jeff Samardzija will get the start for the Cubs and try for his third win of the season.