Cubs win 11-1 over Nationals and David DeJesus as Samardzija pitches complete game and Schierholtz has 6 RBI

It was an interesting day for Cubs news as word first surfaced that outfielder David DeJesus had been traded to the Washington Nationals around 2:30pm CT this afternoon.  DeJesus said that it felt like time stopped for him when talking to Cubs President Theo Epstein on the phone when during complimenting DeJesus, Epstein told him he had been traded to the Nationals.  DeJesus' wife Kim, a Chicago area native from Wheaton and lifelong Cubs fan, reportedly cried when DeJesus broke the news to her.

Outfielder David DeJesus was traded to the Nationals today (Yahoo Sports photo)

At least DeJesus didn't have far to go, as the Cubs started the first game of a 4-game series against the Nationals tonight at Wrigley Field.   We wish David and Kim nothing but the best in the future.

The Cubs went on to crush the Nationals 11-1 as Jeff Samardzija pitched a complete game and Nate Schierholtz homered twice and had 6 RBI.  Donnie Murphy also hit two homers and Dioner Navarro hit a homer. 

Nate Schierholtz is congratulated by Dioner Navarro as he crosses home plate (Chicago Sun-Times photo)

In the top of the 8th inning, DeJesus was called on to pinch-hit for the Nationals and he received a warm greeting from Cubs fans as he stepped up to the plate.  Navarro gave him a hug and after he flied out, second baseman Darwin Barney and other of his former teammates gave him encouragement.

DeJesus was a leader in the Cubs' clubhouse and will surely be missed.  But Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer said there's a chance DeJesus could return to the Cubs in 2014....we shall see!

Tomorrow the Cubs and Nationals play game two at 7:05pm CT.  Left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin will make the start for the Cubs and try to earn his third win of the season.

Cubs with 4-3 walk-off win against Giants in emotional game; Darwin Barney gets his Gold Glove award

Wow, what an (Opening) week it's been for the Cubs and Wrigley Field.  First off, the Wrigley renovation talks are still ongoing, but seem to be making progress.  Secondly, if you haven't heard about the severed goat head that was delivered in a box to Gate K at Wrigley Field and addressed to Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, you don't follow the Cubs all that closely.  Also, Cubs top prospect Jorge Soler was ejected from the Daytona Cubs Class A game earlier this week after a bench-clearing incident and has been suspended for five games.

Lastly, the Cubs blew another lead in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants today, but were able to come back with a walk-off win.  The final score was 4-3 Cubs.

David DeJesus and his Cubs teammates celebrate after he scores the game-winning run on Friday against the Giants (Chicago Tribune photo)

How it happened:  Carlos Villanueva had a great start as he allowed just three hits and no runs and walked one and struck out three batters over 7.1 innings pitched.  When newly named Cubs closer Kyuji Fujikawa came into the ninth, he must've been channeling Carlos Marmol as he blew the 2-0 lead for Villanueva.

Entering the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs were trailing the Giants 3-2 but Dioner Navarro got things started with a home run while pinch-hitting.  David DeJesus then had a two-out single and Starlin Castro followed by hitting a double for DeJesus to score the game-winning run.  DeJesus and Castro both also homered earlier in the game.

It was very satisfying to see the Cubs come back after losing the lead and watch them jump around on the field with so much enthusiasm after the walk-off win while "Go Cubs Go" could be heard in the background.  On a side note, Villanueva said the following about not getting credited with the win today, "Personal stats will come.  Keep doing my job and they'll come eventually.  But the atmosphere in our clubhouse right now...I wouldn't change that for the world.  I'm happy."  Glad to hear it, Carlos!

Before today's game, second baseman Darwin Barney received his Gold Glove award in a ceremony on the field, since he will be rehabbing at Triple-A Iowa starting tomorrow through Monday and is expected to rejoin the Cubs lineup on Tuesday.  Hooray!

Darwin Barney poses with his Gold Glove award at Wrigley Field on Friday (photo from @Cubs on Twitter)

Tomorrow, the Cubs and Giants will play the rubber game of the series at 1:20pm CT.  Jeff Samardzija will start for the Cubs and try to earn his second win of the season.