Cubs fight until the end, but lose 4-2 to Rangers; 7 players affected in roster moves

The Cubs played hard and fought until the end, but lost 4-2 to the Texas Rangers as Darwin Barney's would-have been game-tying double was caught by the Rangers' Craig Gentry on an amazing play.  Wishful thinking, especially for Barney's season debut after coming off the disabled list.

Travis Wood had a quality start for the Cubs and allowed two runs on five hits while walking three and striking out three batters over 7.1 innings pitched.  Wood was tagged with his first loss of the season, even though he has made three quality starts and has allowed only four earned runs over 19-2/3 innings with an 1.83 ERA.

Wood exited the game in the top of the 8th as Cubs manager Dale Sveum called in Shawn Camp from the bullpen.  Bad move, Sveum!  Camp proceeded to throw away a pickoff attempt and which allowed the Rangers to score and lead 2-0.  Camp then gave up a two-run homer to Adrian Beltre.  The Cubs were now losing 4-0.

Travis Wood had a quality start against the Rangers, but ended up with the loss (photo by Chicago Sun-Times)

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Nate Schierholtz had a two-run pinch-hit double which brought the Cubs within two of the Rangers.  The Cubs had the bases loaded after Welington Castillo was hit by a pitch in his ankle.  Darwin Barney then hit a sinking liner to center, which would normally have been a game-tying double, but instead, Craig Gentry made a diving catch to end the game.  

In other Cubs news, the team made several roster moves today, which are listed below:

--Activated 2B Darwin Barney from the disabled list
--Claimed infielder Cody Ransom off waivers from Padres
--Designated Brent Lillibridge for assignment
--Added RHP Kameron Loe to active roster
--Selected contract of RHP Kevin Gregg
--Designated Hisanori Takahashi for assignment
--Optioned Rafael Dolis to Triple-A Iowa

Hopefullly these roster moves will make a difference and the Cubs will start winning some games (or at least stop giving them away).  Besides James Russell, the Cubs bullpen hasn't been reliable at all.  Let's see how Loe and Gregg affect the team.  Stay tuned....

Also, if you haven't already heard, the city of Chicago and the Cubs have come to an agreement for the Wrigley Field renovation plan.  More details about the renovation plans can be found at this link.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Rangers will play the second game of the three-game series at 7:05pm CT.  Carlos Villanueva will make the start for the Cubs and try for his first win of the season.