Cubs lose 3-1 to Dodgers; Matt Garza might return to start Tuesday

The Cubs lost 3-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two of the three-game series at Dodger Stadium tonight.  Chris Volstad made the start for the Cubs and allowed two runs on six hits while striking out three and walking one batter over seven innings.

Volstad left the game trailing 2-1 and also is tagged with his eighth loss of the season, even though he had a decent outing and went at least six innings, which is what manager Dale Sveum was hoping for.  Volstad now hasn't won a game in his last 21 MLB starts.

Chris Volstad started for the Cubs against the Dodgers on Saturday (photo from cubs.com)

Darwin Barney scored off of Alfonso Soriano's RBi double in the third inning to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.  But the Dodgers countered back in the fourth inning with a leadoff single by Mark Ellis followed by a two-run homer by Matt Kemp to make it 2-1.

Clayton Kershaw was excellent as the Cubs could only get three hits over seven innings against him tonight.  The Cubs are now 0-4 since the trade deadline has passed, but Sveum isn't letting the team use that as an excuse for not executing.

In other Cubs news, Matt Garza threw a full bullpen session today and thinks he'll be ready to start for the Cubs on Tuesday in San Diego.  Garza hasn't pitched in a game since leaving his start early on July 21st in St. Louis with cramps in his triceps and then took time off because his wife gave birth to their fourth child on Tuesday in Chicago.

Sveum said Garza would be limited to 70-80 pitches in his first start back, but will wait to see how he feels Sunday before making the decision on whether he'll start.

Dale Sveum will decide on Sunday whether Matt Garza is ready to start on Tuesday (photo from cubs.com)

Garza is anxious to get back and said, "I'm just champing at the bit and ready to go.  Not doing anything for three days didn't set me back but didn't work out too well.  Today I felt great, threw a whole bullpen and we'll wake up tomorrow."  Garza also tweeted, "Bullpen went great, looking forward to getting a chance to toe it up again... #anxious" on Saturday.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Dodgers will play the final game in the series at 3:10pm CT.  Justin Germano will make the start for the Cubs and try to earn his second win since being acquired by the Cubs.