Join David and Kim DeJesus at Bite Nite on November 12th to benefit the ALS Association Greater Chicago Chapter and fight Lou Gehrig's disease

Cubs right fielder David DeJesus and his wife Kim will be hosting the inaugural Bite Nite this coming Monday, November 12, 2012 to help fight Lou Gehrig's disease.  The event will take place from 6:30-9:30pm at Kendall College at 900 N. Branch Street in Chicago.


From the event website:

Bite Nite is an evening of haute cuisine sponsored by The ALS Association Greater Chicago Chapter.  This extraordinary, inaugural chapter event will bring together ten of Chicago’s finest chefs who will showcase tasting-size portions of their exquisite culinary delights. 

The evening will feature a specialty vodka bar, along with a range of imbibements and refreshments. In addition, musical rhythms will be spun by DJ Opio and an exquisite selection of fine art, displayed for silent auction, is sure to please your visual senses. 

Tickets are $75 each and the proceeds will benefit the ALS Association Greater Chicago Chapter, which supports research, advocacy, awareness, community and local care services for those affected by Lou Gehrig's Disease, or ALS.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://webchicago.alsa.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=156788

Ryan Dempster extends MLB-leading scoreless inning streak to 33 as Cubs win 4-1 over Dbacks

The Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second day in a row at Wrigley Field Saturday afternoon.  The final score was 4-1 and Ryan Dempster earned his fifth win of the season.

Dempster was outstanding again as he allowed four hits and no runs and struck out five batters and walked three over six scoreless innings.  His scoreless innings streak now stands at 33 innings, which leads the Majors.

Ryan Dempster earned his fifth win of the season and extended his scoreless inning streak to 33 on Saturday (photo from cubs.com)

There were numerous scouts today at Wrigley to observe Dempster, since it is highly likely that he will be traded before the July 31st trade deadline.  Many speculate that this might have been Dempster's last start as a Cub.  While I am a huge Dempster fan and will be sad to see him go, I also understand the Cubs' situation and need to think ahead to the future.

Luis Valbuena, Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney each had RBIs in today's game, which was the Cubs' 11th victory in their last 15 games and they are now two games ahead of the Houston Astros in the NL Central division. 

Including today's game, the Cubs have also turned at least one double play in nine consecutive games, which is their longest such streak since 1994.

Darwin Barney looks to first base after starting a double play on Saturday against the Diamondbacks (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

“It’s the preparation Barney and Castro have put into their double play combination and obviously the addition of Rizzo at first base,” Sveum said.  “He's one of those calm guys at first base that people take for granted at that position.”
 
In other Cubs news, David DeJesus and his wife Kim held a mystery ball event before Saturday's game to benefit ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) research.  Each Cubs player signed a dozen baseballs which could be purchased for a $50 donation.  After the game, the Cubs outfielder signed autographs across from Wrigley Field at the Cubs store.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Dbacks will play the final game of the series at 1:20pm CT at Wrigley Field.  Matt Garza will start for the Cubs and try to earn his fifth win of the season.  Tomorrow could also be Garza's last start as a Cub.

Cubs win 8-1 over Diamondbacks after 3 hour and 40 minute rain delay; David and Kim DeJesus to hold ALS Awareness Events before and after Saturday's game

The Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-1 at Wrigley Field today after a three hour and 40 minute rain delay.  Paul Maholm started for the Cubs and and allowed one run on six hits and struck out five batters and walked one over seven innings pitched.  This was Maholm's seventh win of the season and his third win in a row.

Alfonso Soriano was 4-for-4 in today's game and had five RBIs with two homers and two doubles.  "I feel very good, my mind and body, too," said Soriano.  "To have success, it's all about my legs.  The last month or two my legs are feeling very good."

Outfielders Joe Mather, Alfonso Soriano and David DeJesus celebrate the Cubs 8-1 win over the Diamondbacks on Friday (photo from Chicago Cubs)

Maholm and Bryan LaHair each also had RBIs in today's victory.  "Obviously, the first two months we didn't play very well," Maholm said.  "But over the last six-seven weeks we've kept battling and kept expecting to win.  Now it's paying off.  We're having fun.  We're working hard to make sure we're ready for every game."

Paul Maholm earned his seventh win of the season against the Diamondbacks on Friday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

This is the Cubs' eighth victory in their last 11 games.  Manager Dale Sveum said, "Everybody right now is playing pretty good baseball, but it starts with that starting pitching and our starting pitching has been really good for a couple of weeks."

The Cubs are no longer in last place in the NL Central division, which is great to see, even though they are still 14.5 games behind the first place Pirates.

Anthony Rizzo and Joe Mather sit in the Cubs' dugout during the rain delay Friday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Anthony Rizzo removes his spikes and socks to walk down the flooded walkway to the Cubs' clubhouse (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Tomorrow the Cubs and Diamondbacks will play game two of the three game series at 12:05pm CT.  Ryan Dempster will start for the Cubs and it's expected that there will be numerous scouts in the stands watching him pitch.  This may be Dempster's last start at Wrigley Field as a Cub if he is traded soon (before the July 31st trade deadline).

If you are in the area or heading to tomorrow's game, don't forget to come early to stop by Kim DeJesus' (wife of David DeJesus) table right outside the main gate of Wrigley Field, where she will be hosting an ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) awareness day.

Starting at approximately 10:05am, there will be mystery baseballs for sale for a $50 donation.  Each Cubs player has autographed a dozen baseballs and they have been wrapped so you won't know which player's ball you'll receive until you open the package.  There will also be ALS bracelets available for a small donation.  All proceeds will benefit ALS research.

After tomorrow's game, David DeJesus will be holding an autograph signing at the Cubs store across the street from Wrigley Field (by the 'Big Noodle' at Clark and Addison).  For a minimum donation of $20, you can get meet the Cubs outfielder and get a photo/autograph from him.

Here's a link to my previous post about tomorrow's events:  http://cubbynews.blogspot.com/2012/07/david-and-kim-dejesus-to-hold-als.html

David and Kim DeJesus to hold ALS awareness day on Saturday July 14th before 12:05 game at Wrigley Field

Since today is still the All-Star break and the Cubs didn't play, I thought I'd dedicate today's post to an impactful event that is coming up this weekend to help an important cause.

Cubs outfielder David DeJesus and his wife, Kim, will be hosting an ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) awareness day outside the main gate of Wrigley Field this Saturday, July 14th.  They will be selling mystery baseballs before the 12:05pm game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Sales will start as soon as the gates open at 10:05am.

Each ball will sell for a $50 donation and will be wrapped so it will be a fun surprise to see which player's 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 is a link to a video of David DeJesus talking about the upcoming event.  Following are a few 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

Wrapped mystery balls ready to be sold on Saturday to benefit ALS research

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.

The Cubs will play a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks starting at 1:20pm CT on Friday at Wrigley Field.  Paul Maholm will start for the Cubs and try for his third win in a row and seventh win of the season.

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.