Kerry Wood retires; Chris Volstad optioned to Iowa; Blake Lalli called up; Soto to DL; Crosstown Classic

Wow, there certainly has been a lot of Cubs news this Friday, the biggest being fan favorite Kerry Wood's announcement of his retirement. 

Kerry Wood and his son and teammates in the bleachers before Friday's game (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Crosstown Classic ad (photo from Paul Sullivan)

Kerry Wood and his son walk off the field before Friday's game

The Cubs optioned struggling starting pitcher Chris Volstad to Triple-A Iowa and called up catcher Blake Lalli to take Geovany Soto's spot on the roster.  Soto has a meniscus tear and will have knee surgery and is expected to miss about three weeks. 

Travis Wood will take Volstad's next start on Tuesday in Houston, but the roster move won't happen until then. 

The Cubs lost 3-2 to the Chicago White Sox in game 1 of the 3-game Crosstown Classic.  Jeff Samardzija was the losing pitcher. 

In the third inning, Samardzija unintentionally hit Paul Konerko in the face and Konerko had to leave the game.  In the next inning, White Sox pitcher Phillip Humber retaliated by throwing a pitch to Cubs' first baseman Bryan LaHair's head.  Luckily, LaHair got out of the way before being hit.  The funny part is that Humber ended walking LaHair anyway.  Konerko was treated for a laceration and swelling around his left eye and was sent for more tests.

In the fifth inning, David DeJesus was called safe on a slide at second base, then was called out by third base umpire Marty Foster after Gordon Beckham pummels DeJesus off the base.  Dale Sveum was the most heated as he's been all season when he came out to argue the call and ended up being ejected.  The drama between the North and South siders is always there, that's for sure!

Kerry Wood came into the game in the 8th inning and struck out Dayan Viciedo.  Then Sveum pulled him and Wood received a standing ovation from the crowd.  His son was waiting for him at the entrance of the Cubs' dugout.  He received hugs from his teammates and coaches in the dugout and left on a high note.

Kerry Wood receives a standing ovation from the crowd at Wrigley Field Friday (photo from cubs.com)

Tomorrow the crosstown rivals will play at 6:15pm CT at Wrigley Field.  Ryan Dempster is scheduled to make the start for the Cubs and hopefully will receive run support to earn his first win of the season (despite an impressive 1.74 ERA.