Chris Volstad gets first win as a Cub and ends winless streak on a soggy Sunday at the Friendlly Confines

After a 2 hour and 23-minute rain delay plus another 30-minute delay, and a game that was called after eight innings, the Cubs ended up shutting out the Colorado Rockies 5-0 and also won the series. 

Chris Volstad started for the Cubs and finally earned his first win as a Cub, which also ended his 24-game winless streak that dated back to July of 2011 when he was on the Marlins.  Manager Dale Sveum said, "I know that's a huge monkey off his back.  The team was incredibly happy for him.  When the game got called, you could see the emotion from the players." 

Chris Volstad finally earned his first win as a Cub and ended his 24-game winless streak against the Rockies on Sunday (photo by Karen Burchell)

Volstad's teammates got a chance to prepare for his victory shower during the 30-minute delay after the eighth inning.  "It was fun," said Darwin Barney.  "He was real excited.  The thing about it, when you're an offensive position player and you have that game when your team wins and you contribute and have a couple knocks, you go home feeling pretty good about yourself.  He hasn't had one of those days in a while — a day where everything worked out.  They didn't get a cheap hit off him today, and the defense picked him up.  I was really happy for him.  He's been pitching really consistent of late and he's just been getting some bad luck here and there.  I think he liked that little shower we gave him."

Volstad allowed just three hits and no runs while striking out three batters and walking three over 6-2/3 innings pitched.  It also helped that Volstad received more than three runs of support today, since the Cubs had scored one or no runs in eight of his 12 starts before today.  As he exited the field in the sixth inning, he received a standing ovation from the crowd at Wrigley Field.

I was at today's game and can say it was definitely a long day, since we arrived when the gates opened and watched the Cubs take batting practice before it was cut short, and ended up staying until the game was called after eight innings (and over seven hours since we had arrived at Wrigley).  It was a bummer not being able to sing "Go Cubs Go", though.

Following are some photos I took at the game:

First base coach Dave McKay and second baseman Darwin Barney during batting practice (photo by Karen Burchell)

It was a soggy Sunday at the Friendly Confines (photo by Karen Burchell)

David DeJesus warms up after the two hour and 23-minute rain delay (photo by Karen Burchell)

Anthony Rizzo uses eyedrops before the rain-delayed game started on Sunday (photo by Karen Burchell)

Maybe Samardzija and Russell have been hanging out a little too much? (photo by Karen Burchell)

Chris Volstad received a standing ovation after he was pulled in the sixth inning (photo by Karen Burchell)

Rain delay, take two - the tarp is back on after 8 innings (photo by Karen Burchell)

Tomorrow the Cubs will start a four-game series against the Brewers at Wrigley Field starting at 7:05pm CT.  Justin Germano will start for the Cubs and try to earn his third win.