Cubs' bats and the weather both cold in Pittsburgh as they lose 3-0 to Pirates

In what looked like a promising start to the game for the Cubs and newly acquired starting pitcher Edwin Jackson, turned out with the Cubs getting their first loss of the 2013 season.  Jackson struck out the side in the first inning, but the Cubs' bats were as cold as the 35-degree weather in Pittsburgh, as they were only able to get two hits during the entire game off Wandy Rodriguez.

Jackson allowed two runs on three hits over five innings and was pulled from the game for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning.

Edwin Jackson made his Cubs debut against the Pirates (USA Today photo)

The Cubs had a chance to score in the seventh inning when they loaded the bases with one out.  But Brent Lillibridge was called out on strikes after a long at-bat and Alberto Gonzalez popped out to end the inning.

Needless to say, the Cubs lost 3-0 to the Pirates.  The good news is that they are even with all four other teams in the NL Central, with each team winning one game and losing one.

There was a panic moment in the seventh inning when Wandy Rodriguez's pitch drilled Anthony Rizzo and he fell to the ground, losing his helmet.  I think everyone watching the game thought the Cubs' first baseman might have been seriously hurt.  But thankfully the ball hit Rizzo's arm and not his head and he was able to get up on his own and continue playing.

Anthony Rizzo after being hit by a pitch in the seventh inning against the Pirates (USA Today photo)

In other Cubs news, pitching prospect Robert Whitenack, who was designated for assignment by the Cubs, was claimed by the Indians on waivers today.  Whitenack tweeted, "Thank you @Cubs for the excellent 4 years!!! Excited to start a new journey with the @Indians" earlier today.  The Cubs also signed infielder Donnie Murphy and outfielder Ryan Sweeney to minor league deals today.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Pirates will play the rubber game of the series at 11:35am CT.  Travis Wood will make the start for the Cubs.

After that, the Cubs will head to Atlanta to play a three-game series against the Braves before heading home to Chicago to get ready for the Home Opener at Wrigley Field on Monday at 1:20pm CT.  Five more days! 

Cubs finally get a lead, but can't get the win over the Astros

The Cubs lost their ninth straight game tonight, 5-1 to the Houston Astros.  Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs and gave up two runs on six hits over six innings to take the loss.  It was his sixth quality start out of nine appearances this season.

This was the first time since May 8-18, 2002 that the Cubs have lost nine in a row.  Reed Johnson gave the Cubs an early lead in the first inning when he hit a solo home run off Wandy Rodriguez.  This was the first time the Cubs had a lead in 59 innings.

Reed Johnson homered in the first inning to give the Cubs an early lead (photo from cubs.com)

The Cubs held their 1-0 lead until the fourth inning, when Darwin Barney’s hustle toward the right-field line ended up in a collision with a sliding David DeJesus, which knocked the ball out of DeJesus' glove.

“It was one of those plays that was too much in the middle of us,” Barney said.  “It was placed at a point where he didn’t have a chance to call it.  It’s unfortunate.  My job is to go until I hear somebody call me off and that ball was put into a spot where he didn’t know he’d have a chance until he got there.  He probably didn’t know he’d be able to get there.”

Darwin Barney and David DeJesus colllided during the fourth inning of last night's game in Houston (photo from George Bridges/MCT)

Barney ended up with a bloody elbow and hip after the fall from the rocky surface on the warning track.  “I thought he caught it.  I went and when I was on the ground, I thought he had it in his glove and there it was.  We both did our job and it just happened to turn out that way.”  After the collision, the Astros took a 2-1 lead and the Cubs never regained the lead.

Here's a link to a complete game recap on cubs.com.

Tomorrow the Cubs have an off day and will travel to Pittsburgh, where they will play a three game series, starting Friday at 6:05pm CT.  Ryan Dempster will start on Friday and try for his first win of the season, despite his impressive 2.28 ERA.  Let's hope this team can turn this season around and end their losing streak!

Paul Maholm will make his first trip back to Pittsburgh since coming to the Cubs from the Pirates during the offseason.  He tweeted the following today, "Getting ready for the final game in Houston and then off to the steel city. Looking forward to my first trip back and pitching Sat."