Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters make Cubs debut; Jeff Baker traded as Cubs lose 7-6 to Dodgers in crazy game

The Cubs lost 7-6 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the final game of the three-game series this afternoon.  This was also the Cubs' fifth loss in a row.  Justin Germano made the start for the Cubs and allowed two runs over three hits while walking none and striking out three batters. 

There was a little bit of excitement before the game as the news came out that the Cubs traded utility player Jeff Baker to the Detroit Tigers for two players to be named later and also optioned outfielder Tony Campana to Triple-A Iowa.  In corresponding moves, the Cubs called up outfielder Brett Jackson and third baseman Josh Vitters from Triple-A Iowa.

Jackson and Vitters were on a 6am flight from Des Moines to Dallas, then arrived in Los Angeles just in time to get in a quick batting practice session.  "I can promise I'm going to play the game as hard as I always do, and I play to win, and that's the type of player I am and that's the type of player I'll always be," Jackson said.  I like the sound of that!

The long awaited call-up of outfielder Brett Jackson finally happened on Sunday against the Dodgers (photo from cubs.com)

Jackson was batting .256 with 15 home runs, 22 doubles, 12 triples, and 158 strikeouts in 106 games at Iowa, while Vitters was hitting .304 with 17 home runs, 32 doubles and two triples in 110 games.

Both Jackson and Vitters made their major league debuts in today's game.  Jackson grounded out to first in his first at-bat, was walked in the third inning and singled in the fifth inning.  Vitters flied out while pinch-hitting in the seventh.

Scott Maine blew the Cubs' lead by allowing three runs in the fifth.  However, the Cubs regained the lead when Alfonso Soriano hit a 2-run double in the seventh inning.  Then James Russell gave up a 2-run double to Andre Ethier in the seventh, which gave the Dodgers a 6-5 lead.

But it wasn't over yet, as Anthony Rizzo hit a game-tying home run to start off the ninth, but unfortunately Hanley Ramirez hit a walk-off RBI to win the game for the Dodgers in the ninth with one out.  Shawn Camp was tagged with today's loss.


In other Cubs news, Matt Garza will not start on Tuesday and is instead headed to the disabled list, which will be retroactive to 16 days because of elbow stiffness.  Casey Coleman or Chris Rusin will start for the Cubs on Tuesday in San Diego.  Ugh.

Tomorrow the Cubs will start a three-game series against the San Diego Padres at 9:05pm CT.  Travis Wood will start for the Cubs and try to earn his fifth win of the season.  I'm excited for the future of this team, but a win would be nice!

Paul Maholm and Cubs get a 4-2 "W" over Marlins and win another series; Cubs acquire Justin Germano from Red Sox and designate Jairo Asencio for assignment

The Cubs won their second straight game against the Miami Marlins today and also won the series and are 5-1 in the homestand.  Paul Maholm started for the Cubs and was on his game as he lasted eight innings and threw 106 pitches.  I was at today's game and it was one of the shortest games I've been to at 2 hours and 18 minutes.

Paul Maholm earned his fourth win in a row against the Marlins on Thursday (photo by Karen Burchell)

Maholm allowed just one run on five hits over eight innings and walked one batter and struck out four, and now has an 8-6 record with an ERA of 4.09 after winning his last four starts.

Alfonso Soriano hit his 18th homer of the season in the fifth inning which started a four-run inning for the Cubs.  Reed Johnson also made an incredible diving catch in right field off Jose Reyes, which Maholm definitely appreciated.  "It was huge. I'm sure if that gets by him, I'm probably done," Maholm said of Johnson's catch.  "Whenever he hit it, I kind of gave up in my mind that he just got a triple.  Reed, obviously, is a very good defensive outfielder and made an unbelievable catch."

Alfonso Soriano is congratulated by teammates after his homer in the fifth inning against the Marlins (photo by Karen Burchell)

Manager Dale Sveum said, "Soriano's home run was huge.  Obviously he was pitching well, and then to come back and Reed Johnson's two-out base hit to left field was kind of the backbreaker for Buehrle." Today was Buehrle's first loss to the Cubs since June 22, 2007.

After today's win, the Cubs are 14-5 in their last 19 games, which is the best record in the majors since June 25th.  Jeff Baker said, "Guys are playing good baseball.  It's fun."  Reed Johnson also added, "This team is obviously pretty good.  We've played some tough games and had some really good results of late, so hopefully it shows we're not as far away as we thought we were."

In other Cubs news, the team acquired relief pitcher Justin Germano today, who was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox, for cash considerations.  In a corresponding move, the Cubs designated relief pitcher Jairo Asencio for assignment.

The Cubs acquired reliever Justin Gemano from the Red Sox on Thursday (US Presswire photo)

Germano is 29 years old and has a career record of 8-20 with a 4.91 ERA.  If Germano isn't able to make it to St. Louis in time for Friday's game, Casey Coleman (who was scratched from his start on Thursday) might be brought in from the Iowa Cubs to cover the roster spot.

The Cubs will travel to St. Louis to play a three-game series against the Cardinals starting at 7:15pm CT Friday.  Ryan Dempster was scheduled to pitch, but with the trade rumors flying like crazy, who knows if that will change.

Here are some photos I took at today's game:

Cubs hanging out before their game against the Marlins (photo by Karen Burchell)

Cubs players during the National Anthem before Thursday's game against the Marlins (photo by Karen Burchell)

Reed Johnson makes it to second base against the Marlins on Thursday (photo by Karen Burchell)

First baseman Anthony Rizzo batting for the Cubs on Thursday against the Marlins (photo by Karen Burchell)

Matt Garza, Travis Wood and Jeff Samardzija in the Cubs dugout during Thursday's game against the Marlins (photo by Karen Burchell)

Actor and Chicago native Gary Sinise sings the 7th inning stretch in Thursday's game against the Marlins (photo by Karen Burchell)

Starlin Castro (photo by Karen Burchell)

The Cubs celebrate their 4-2 win over the Marlins on Thursday (photo by Karen Burchell)

"Go Cubs Go" and the "W" flag after the Cubs' win over the Marlins on Thursday (photo by Karen Burchell)

Cubs beat Marlins 5-1 after game called due to rain delay; Rizzo and Campana visit kids with cancer; Randy Wells placed on DL by Iowa; Jorge Soler to make debut Thursday

The Cubs beat the Miami Marlins 5-1 Wednesday night at Wrigley Field to even up the series.  The game was halted in the eighth inning after thunderstorms moved into Chicago.  After a one hour and 17 minute rain delay, the game was called and Cubs fans were able to sing "Go Cubs Go!"

Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs and allowed one run on six hits and struck out nine batters and walked three.  He lasted just five innings and was pulled after 97 pitches.

Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs on Wednesday at Wrigley Field (photo from cubs.com)

Starlin Castro tied the game 1-1 in the fourth inning by hitting a solo home run.  The Cubs then scored four more runs in the seventh inning.  Geovany Soto's RBI single drove home Alfonso Soriano to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead.  The Cubs then scored three more runs when Jeff Baker hit a two-run pinch double and David DeJesus hit a sacrifice fly.

The Cubs were leading the Marlins 5-1 in the eighth inning when heavy thunderstorms forced a rain delay that lasted one hour and 17 minutes before the game was called.

In other Cubs news, Anthony Rizzo and Tony Campana, who are both cancer (Hodgkin's lymphoma) survivors, visited young patients at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago for a couple of hours on Wednesday.

Tony Campana and Anthony Rizzo visited patients at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago on Wednesday (photo from cubs.com)

"Sometimes, we'd go into a room and just say hi, cheer them up," Rizzo said.  "Other times, we'd talk to them a little more and tell them Tony and I are both survivors and what we went through, and we know it's not fun.  Kids were sitting there getting chemotherapy as we're talking to them.  We just tell them to have fun."

"The situation I'm in now, I have a chance to go out and show kids that, hey, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and keep fighting no matter what and always have fun," Rizzo said.

Right-handed pitcher Randy Wells has been placed on the disabled list by the Iowa Cubs retroactive to July 15th with a right elbow strain.  Wells has a record of 1-2 in 12 games and an ERA of 5.34, including four starts with the Cubs.  He was designated for assignment in June and outrighted to Triple-A Iowa.  

Jorge Soler, who signed a nine-year, $30 million deal with the Cubs earlier this month, will make his pro debut in an Arizona Rookie League game on Thursday. 

Tomorrow the Marlins and Cubs will play the final game in the three-game series at 1:20pm CT at Wrigley Field.  Paul Maholm will start for the Cubs and try to earn his eighth win of the season.

Ryan Dempster returns from DL and is outstanding as Cubs win 7-0 over Mets and take the series

The Cubs shutout the Mets 7-0 and win the series against the New York Mets on Sunday at Citi Field.  Ryan Dempster returned from the disabled list and had another outstanding start as he allowed just four hits and struck out four batters and walked none over five innings pitched.

Dempster threw 63 pitches today and his scoreless streak was extended to 27 innings.  It's the longest streak by a Cubs pitcher since Kenny Holtzman's 27-inning streak in 1971.  Demps finishes the first half with an impressive 1.99 ERA.

Ryan Dempster returned from the disabled list and pitched five scoreless innings against the Mets on Sunday (photo from cubs.com)

As expected, pitcher Chris Volstad, who was with the team and made a spot start for Dempster on Tuesday against the Braves, was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room on the roster for Dempster. 

The Cubs got off to a great start by scoring four runs in the first inning.  Alfonso Soriano had an RBI single, followed by Jeff Baker's RBI double, then Geovany Soto's 2-RBI single.  In the seventh inning, Starlin Castro hit a three-run homer to give the Cubs a 7-0 lead.

Paul Maholm made his first career relief appearance after 201 starts and pitched one scoreless inning, followed by scoreless innings by Manny Corpas, James Russell and Shawn Camp.  The Cubs ended up with a 4-3 record on the road trip, and have won 9 of their last 13 games heading into the All-Star break.

When asked who his first half MVPs were, manager Dale Sveum said Shawn Camp and James Russell.  Camp was 2-4 with a 2.86 ERA and one save, while Russell was 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA going into Sunday's game.  Russell had a 2.30 ERA in 101 games since the start of 2011, the second-lowest mark by a National League left-hander.

"Those guys have been phenomenal in the first half," Sveum said.  "Without those two guys, we would've been in a lot of trouble.  The combination of both of them has been tremendous.  They've been consistent all season long.  To have the numbers they have, and handle a position they've been put in [that they aren't used to] speaks volumes for what they've done for this team this year."

Starlin Castro and Bryan LaHair will be the Cubs' representatives in Kansas City at this year's All-Star game on Tuesday at 6:30pm CT on FOX.  "You're always ready for a break in this game," Sveum said.  "[Four] days off will be nice."

Bryan LaHair and Starlin Castro were selected to play in the 2012 All-Star Game in Kansas City (photo from cubs.com)

LaHair said, "This morning, I woke up and I'm like, 'Hmm, I've got a game today, and I'm going to Kansas City,' and it's kind of cool -- I'm going to meet my brother and wife there."  Go NL!

Carlos Marmol shaky in the 9th inning, but Cubs hold on to win 8-7 over Mets; Kim and David DeJesus to hold ALS awareness day July 14th

The Cubs beat the New York Mets 8-7 in the first game of the three-game series at Citi Field.  Travis Wood started for the Cubs and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and walked four and struck out three over six innings pitched.

Travis Wood earned his fourth straight win Friday night against the Mets (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Wood earned his fourth straight win tonight, even though Carlos Marmol made it interesting in the ninth inning when he gave up a home run and loaded the bases with three straight walks and also gave up a two-run single.  But thankfully Lucas Duda then lined out to Marmol, who was able to turn it into a game-ending double play. 

Anthony Rizzo, Reed Johnson, and Jeff Baker all hit home runs in the game.  Rizzo went 4-for-5 tonight, including his 3-run home run, which was immediately followed by Jeff Baker's solo home run in the 5th inning.

Anthony Rizzo was 4-for-5 with a 3-run homer in Friday's game against the Mets (photo from cubs.com)

The Cubs scored five runs, seven hits and 2 HRs in the 5th inning and also set a season high of 18 hits and are no longer in last place in the NL Central, which is nice to see!  Let's keep this "Anthony Rizzo momentum" going!

Anthony Rizzo is congratulated by Darwin Barney after his three-run homer in the fifth inning against the Mets (photo from Chicago Tribune)

The Cubs announced today that Ryan Dempster will come off the disabled list and start on Sunday in the finale against the Mets.  Dempster has been on the DL for 22 days with a sore right lat (shoulder).

"He says he feels as good as he has all year," manager Dale Sveum said.  "It's just a matter of durability issues.  But the guy keeps himself in phenomenal shape.  That's part of the decision.  If it was somebody else besides Ryan Dempster, you probably wouldn't even have been thinking about this."  Dempster will be limited to between 70-80 pitches.

In other Cubs news, David DeJesus' wife, Kim, will be hosting an ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) awareness day outside the main gate of Wrigley Field on Saturday, July 14th.  She will be selling mystery baseballs before the 12:05pm game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Each ball will sell for a $50 donation and will be wrapped so it will be a fun surprise to see which autographed ball you get.  Every player on the team has signed 12 balls.  ALS bracelets will also be available for a small donation.  All proceeds will go towards ALS research.

Here are a couple photos of the balls (that Kim DeJesus (‏@KimDeJesus9) posted on twitter):

Anthony Rizzo's autographed baseballs for the ALS mystery baseball event on July 14th

One of twelve signed Bryan LaHair baseballs to be sold at the ALS event on July 14th

Also, after the game on the same day, David DeJesus will be holding an autograph signing at the Cubs store across from Wrigley Field.  For a minimum donation of $20, you can meet David and get an autograph from the Cubs outfielder, with all proceeds benefitting ALS research.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Mets will play game two of the series at 3:10pm CT.   Jeff Samardzija will start for the Cubs and try for his seventh win of the season.

Paul Maholm backed by HRs from LaHair, Baker and Rizzo as Cubs beat Braves 5-1 on Independence Day

The Cubs had a happy 4th of July as they won 5-1 over the Atlanta Braves.  Paul Maholm started for the Cubs and allowed one run on eight hits and struck out five batters and walked one over six innings pitched.  He earned his second straight victory of the season.

Paul Maholm earned his second straight win on July 4th against the Braves (photo from Chicago Tribune)

"We're obviously playing a lot better baseball than we were the first two months," Maholm said.  "I think you can credit every guy in here who comes in here and prepares every day and expects to win and lays it out there, and however it may be, we'll come in and do the same thing."

Bryan LaHair, Jeff Baker, and Anthony Rizzo all hit homers in Wednesday's game.  This was the Cubs' seventh win in their last nine games, which is a nice trend to see after their poor first half of the season.  The Cubs now are 31-50 at the halfway point.

Jeff Baker is congratulated by teammates after hitting a homer in the July 4th game against the Braves (photo from Chicago Tribune)

In other Cubs news, Ryan Dempster is hoping that manager Dale Sveum will let him start on Sunday in New York, since he feels like he's ready to come off the disabled list.  "I think they trust me," Dempster said.  Sveum said, "He's so attuned to his mechanics and his arm and how he feels.  It's at the point where it's not like we'd leave him out there for 110 pitches or something either.  He's feeling as good as he ever does.  That's the kicker to it all."

Tomorrow the Cubs and Braves will play the final game of the four-game series at 6:10pm CT.  Matt Garza will start for the Cubs and try for his fifth win.

Independence Day festivities in Atlanta before the Cubs-Braves game (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Cubs beat the Dodgers 4-3 in 11 innings; Blake DeWitt designated for assignment

After a two hour and 41 minute rain delayed start, the Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-3 in 11 innings in the final game of the 3 game series.  Travis Wood was called up from Triple-A Iowa to start in place of the flu-stricken Matt Garza.

The Cubs were trailing the Dodgers, 3-2 going into the ninth inning when Ian Stewart got a pinch-hit single.  Tony Campana hit a game-tying RBI double in the ninth inning and David DeJesus was walked with the bases loaded in the 11th inning to give the Cubs to a 4-3 victory over the Dodgers and the series win.  Rafael Dolis, who pitched two inning in relief, earned the win. 

David DeJesus wins it in 11th for the Cubs with a walk-off walk (photo from cubs.com)

To make room for Travis Wood on the roster, the Cubs designated Blake DeWitt for assignment for the second time this year.  DeWitt was also designated for assignment on February 6th to make room on the 40-man roster when the Cubs claimed infielder Adrian Cardenas off waivers from the Oakland Athletics.   He rejoined the team Feb. 23 as a non-roster Spring Training invitee after clearing waivers. 

Blake DeWitt was designated for assignment today to make room for Travis Wood on the Cubs' roster (photo from cubs.com)

In 18 games this year, DeWitt was batting .138 with one double and one RBI.  "Hopefully, he clears waivers and elects to stay with us," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Sunday.  "It's an unfortunate thing, and more than anything, it's because of the flu bug.  It cost a guy a job in the big leagues.  It was our only chance to do anything."

Jeff Baker was unavailable for Saturday's game, but is feeling better and available for today's game.  Third baseman Ian Stewart is the latest victim of the flu that's been going around the Cubs' clubhouse and is out of the lineup today.  Stewart is one of five National League players to drive in at least 10 runs this season despite hitting under .200.  Joe Mather is taking Stewart's spot at third base today.

"It's one of those unfortunate things that a lot of teams deal with over the course of the year," Sveum said Sunday.  "Hopefully, we get [Stewart] back.  It hasn't been a one-day thing with anybody, guys have been completely down and out."  Apparentely the first player to get the flu was relief pitcher Scott Maine, who was recently optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Tomorrow the Cubs will start a 3-game series against the Atlanta Braves at 7:05pm CT at Wrigley Field.  Jeff Samardzija will start for the Cubs.

Cubs lose 5-1 to the Dodgers; Garza and Baker down with the flu

The Cubs lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-1 at Wrigley Field today.  Chris Volstad was the losing pitcher but the Cubs denied that Volstad's spot in the starting rotation was in jeopardy.

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

"Yeah I think it's way too early for that, there's no question about it," manager Dale Sveum said.

Volstad is 0-4 with a 6.55 ERA in six starts with the Cubs this season.  His issue has been that he has one bad inning in five of his six starts.  Today is was in the second inning, when the Dodgers scored three runs, including two coming from Dodgers starting pitcher Chris Capuano's two-out, two-run double.

"It's just somehow getting through those innings," Sveum said.  "When people get on, for some reason he's having trouble getting out of that.   Obviously, he has been pretty efficient when nobody's on base."

Said Volstad: "From the stretch has been a struggle.  That one inning (each start) has to be better, that's all it comes down to."  Volstad admitted it could mechanical, could be mental or…"It could be just a relaxing thing," he said.  "Just relax and get back to what you were doing from the windup."

In other Cubs news, there is a flu that has affected Matt Graza and Jeff Baker.  Garza will have his turn in the rotation skipped as a result.  Travis Wood was called up from Triple-A Iowa to start against the Dodgers on Sunday.  Garza now is scheduled to face the Brewers on Friday in Milwaukee.

"He's pretty down-and-out, pretty sick," Sveum said about Garza.

Travis Wood came to the Cubs in a winter trade with the Cincinnati Reds for Sean Marshall and will make his Cubs debut after going 1-3 with a 5.08 ERA at Triple-A Iowa.

Travis Wood will make his debut with the Cubs Sunday against the Dodgers (photo from cubs.com)

The left-handed Wood was 2-2 with a 10.67 in five preseason games when we pitched his way out of a rotation spot.  "I feel better, more relaxed," he said of the difference from spring.  "My pitches are working and I'm able to command the fastball, and the off-speeds are working.  Everything's going good right now."  Let's hope he can lead the Cubs to a series win on Sunday against former Cub Ted Lilly at 1:20pm CT at Wrigley Field.

Cubs featured on MLB Network's 30 Clubs in 30 Days (video) and lose 10-3 to the Mariners

The Cubs lost to the Seattle Mariners 10-3 today.  Chris Volstad was impressive in his Cubs debut.  He allowed one hit and threw three strikeouts over three innings pitched.  Kerry Wood also had his spring debut and allowed one hit during the inning he pitched.  However, Carlos Marmol was another story, giving up four runs on four hits and also hit a batter in the fifth inning, which resulted in the Cubs trailing the Mariners, 5-1.  Alfonso Soriano hit his third homer of the spring in the second inning and Jeff Baker went 2-for-2 today.

Kerry Wood had his spring debut today

Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer taking in today's Cubs vs. Mariners game at HoHoKam Park

The Cubs were featured on MLB Network's 30 Clubs in 30 Days last night.  Following are links to segments from the show:

Kerry Wood discusses his cutter and being an elder in the bullpen

Ryan Dempster talking about the Cubs Way and does his Harry Caray impression

Geovany Soto on his injury and adding muscle in the offseason

Manager Dale Sveum talks about how he's changed the team's atmosphere

Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo and Ian Stewart demonstrating a hitting drill
Starlin Castro demonstrates the footwork he's been working on this Spring

Anthony Rizzo talks about being acquired by the Cubs

The Cubs Bunting Tournament continued today.  Casey Coleman, Paul Maholm and Wellington Castillo advanced over Jeff Beliveau, Randy Wells, and Adrian Cardenas.  Starlin Castro will go up against David DeJesus to round out the final four.

The Cubs will play the White Sox tomorrow at 2:05pm.  You can watch it on WGN-TV (this will be the first Cubs Cactus League game to be televised this season!)  The lineup for tomorrow will be:

Soriano DH
Barney 2B
Baker RF
LaHair 1B
Byrd CF
Mather LF
Clevenger C
Lake SS
Gonzalez 3B

Travis Wood will be tomorrow's starting pitcher and Randy Wells and Rodrigo Lopez are also scheduled to pitch.  Only 28 days to go until Opening Day!