Cubs lose 9-6 to Cardinals as Ron Santo Day takes place at Wrigley Field

The Cubs lost the first game of the three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals, 9-6 at Wrigley Field Friday afternoon.  Travis Wood started for the Cubs and was dealt his third straight loss (and sixth loss of the season) as he also became the first major league starting pitcher to give up a homer in each of the first five innings of a game.  Yikes.  This also tied a franchise record, along with Carlos Zambrano.

Wood allowed seven hits on eight runs and also walked two and struck out two batters over five innings pitched.  They hit every pitch I had," said Wood.  "I was on a roll (for three games) and now I'm on the other side of it," he said.  "It's nice I (had the three good ones) because the confidence is still there."

Travis Wood started for the Cubs against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday (Getty Images photo)

Highlights of the game were Anthony Rizzo going 2-for-4 with a 2-run homer and RBI single.  Starlin Castro was 3-for-4 with a triple, two runs and an RBI.  Geovany Soto and Alfonso Soriano also had RBIs.  The Cubs did hit for the cycle in the first inning against the Cardinals' Lance Lynn.

Anthony Rizzo is congratulated after hitting a 2-run homer in the first inning against the Cardinals (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Today the Cubs celebrated Ron Santo's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame since today was the first home game since Santo was inducted last weekend.  Santo's No. 10 was mowed into the center field grass and blue No. 10 flags were spread throughout the roof of Wrigley Field.  Santo's grandson threw out the first pitch to Kerry Wood, who was Santo's favorite player, and Santo's family sang the seventh inning stretch.

#10 flags fly above Wrigley Field's roof to celebrate Ron Santo (photo from @M_Montemurro on Twitter)

Cubs players click their heels as they take the field on Friday in honor of Ron Santo's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame (photo from cubs.com)

In other Cubs news, Matt Garza won't make a start until after the trade deadline, due to slight fluid buildup found in his triceps from an MRI.  The earliest he could pitch is late next week, according to Cubs manager Dale Sveum.  So this means that Garza most likely won't be traded before the trade deadline on Tuesday, July 31st.  It's also up in the air as to whether Ryan Dempster will be dealt before Tuesday.

Right handed pitcher Randy Wells, who was put on the 7-day disabled list last week by the Iowa Cubs, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on Tuesday in Chicago.  He will most likely be out for the rest of the season.  Wells cleared waivers in June after he was designated for assignment and would have been an option to rejoin the Cubs rotation if Garza or Dempster were traded.  Personally, I hope Wells has a full and quick recovery and wish him the best.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Cards will play the second game of the series at 12:05pm CT at Wrigley Field.  Jeff Samardzija will start for the Cubs and try for his eighth win of the season.