Starlin Castro with 4 RBIs as Cubs win 7-4 over Pirates; Albert Almora at Wrigley Field; 2013 schedule released

The Cubs won 7-4 over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first of a three-game series at Wrigley Field Friday afternoon.

Rookie Chris Rusin was the starting pitcher and earned his first career MLB win.  Rusin was impressive as he allowed two runs on four hits and struck out six batters and didn't walk any over five innings pitched.

Anthony Rizzo and Brett Jackson both returned to the lineup for Friday's game.  Rizzo had a two-run double and Jackson had an amazing sliding catch later in the game.  Jackson had to miss five games due to the bruised knee he got as a result of crashing into the centerfield fence while making an amazing catch in Pittsburgh.  Rizzo missed one game after colliding with the Astros' first baseman on Tuesday night in Houston.

Starlin Castro had an exceptional game as he was 2-for-4, including a homer and 4 RBIs.  Carlos Marmol earned his 20th save of the season.

Steve Clevenger and Carlos Marmol celebrate the Cubs' 7-4 win over the Pirates on Friday (photo from cubs.com)

Second baseman Darwin Barney's consecutive errorless game streak is now at 129 games.  Barney also increased his hitting streak to a career-high nine games.

In other Cubs news, 1st round pick Albert Almora took batting practice today as Cubs President Theo Epstein watched.  Top prospect Jorge Soler is expected to take batting practice before Saturday's game.

Albert Almora talks to Cubs President Theo Epstein during batting practice before Friday's game against the Pirates (photo from @Cubs on Twitter)

The Cubs' 2013 schedule was released this week and can be found here.  The Cubs will open their 2013 season on the road in Pittsburgh on Monday, April 1st, where they will play three games against the Pirates and then head to Atlanta to take on the Braves for three games before heading home to Wrigley Field for the home opener on Monday, April 8th against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Tomorrow, the Cubs and Pirates will play game two at 12:05pm CT.  Right-hander Jason Berken will make his first start since joining the Cubs when he was acquired off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles last Friday. 

Berken had a record of 5-6 with a 3.50 ERA at Triple-A Norfolk.  Tomorrow's spot would have been Jeff Samardzija's turn in the rotation, but he has since been shut down for the rest of the season since he reached his maximum innings since becoming a starter this season.

Dempster and Garza trade talk; Cubs finalize deal with Albert Almora; LaHair and Castro at All-Star Game

Now that the All-Star game is over, (in case you haven't heard, or have been living in a hole, the National League shut out the American League 8-0) Theo Epstein and the Cubs can move on and see what deals they can make before the July 31st trade deadline.  Even though I don't want players such as Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza to go, I'm a realist and understand that we must plan for the future, especially in a "rebuilding" year.

Apparently the Dodgers and Orioles are both interested in Dempster and Garza and have been talking to the Cubs.  The Red Sox, Yankees and Blue Jays might also be interested in Garza.


Dempster has now pitched 27 straight scoreless innings and will make his second start since returning from the disabled list on Saturday against the Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field.

Ryan Dempster could be traded before the July 31st trade deadline (photo from cubs.com)

Garza isn't having the best year on the Cubs, but is still generating interest from many teams, who haven't forgotten his effectiveness with the Rays in the super-competitive AL East division.

Matt Garza is also drawing interest from many teams (photo from Chicago Tribune)

In other Cubs news, the team has officially signed 18-year old, 6-foot-2, 180 pound outfielder Albert Almora, who was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.  Almora reportedly received a signing bonus of $3.9 million.

Outfielder Albert Almora has officially signed with the Cubs

"I'm speechless," Almora said after being drafted last month.  "I don't remember much of anything that happened tonight.  I know that the Cubs drafted me and I'm grateful, but I'm still kind of shocked and overwhelmed." Almora reports to Mesa today for his first workout with the Cubs organization.

Cubs third baseman Ian Stewart had surgery on his wrist on Tuesday and everything went well.  Stewart tweeted the following, "Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes today...surgery was a success and now back in the hotel resting...thanks again #FightOn"

Third baseman Ian Stewart had successful wrist surgery Tuesday, but will most likely be out for the rest of the season

Here are some photos of Bryan LaHair and Starlin Castro representing the Cubs and the National League in this year's All-Star game:

Bryan LaHair and Starlin Castro at the 2012 All-Star Game in Kansas City (photo from Chicago Cubs)

Starlin Castro and Bryan LaHair prepare to talk to the media for this year's All-Star game (photo from Chicago Cubs)

The Cubs will play a three-game 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.

Cubs win 3-2 over Astros and secure the series win; Anthony Rizzo hits first homer as a Cub; Jorge Soler deal finalized; No more shaving cream pies by Garza

The Cubs beat the Houston Astros 3-2 at Wrigley Field to secure the series win.  Matt Garza started for the Cubs and gave up two runs on nine hits and issued three walks over 5-1/3 innings.

Matt Garza stretches before starting Saturday's game against the Astros (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Anthony Rizzo hit his first homer as a Cub in the fifth inning, when Starlin Castro was on base, which gave the Cubs the 3-2 lead.  "It's good to come here and help us win," Rizzo said.  "It's a lot of fun when you can do that.  It's good for us to win and get that monkey off my back by hitting a home run."

Anthony Rizzo is congratulated by Bryan LaHair after hitting the game-winning home run on Saturday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

In other Cubs news, Jorge Soler has officially signed a 9-year, $30 million deal with the Cubs.  “He provides a ton of power potential for us,” Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer said.  “We scouted him heavily and it obviously is a significant commitment for us.  He fits very well into what we’re trying to do.  He’s the right age, the right talent and we’re excited to get him started.”  Soler is 20 years old and hails from Cuba.

Hoyer also said that negotiations with first-round draft choice Albert Almora are ongoing.  The Cubs have until July 13th to sign Almora.

It was also announced that Chris Volstad, who has been at Triple-A Iowa after a 0-6 start to the season, will be called up to start on Tuesday against the Braves in Atlanta. 

Hoyer also said today that Ian Stewart will most likely have to get surgery on his left wrist, since the cortisone shots in his hand haven't helped to resolve the pain.

After today's game, during Anthony Rizzo's postgame interview on the field, Matt Garza emerged from the dugout with a shaving cream pie ready for Rizzo, but opted to cover the camera lens instead and then removed Rizzo's headset and put it on himself and said for Rizzo to come inside, it's hot out here.

Apparently Garza's antics didn't go over very well and he tweeted tonight, "Thanks for the love all of you... Sad to say I shall be retiring from the pies! Certain individuals don't enjoy it as much! #terrible"  Garza definitely brings a lot of energy to the clubhouse and personally, I get a charge out of the guy!

Matt Garza puts shaving cream on a camera during Anthony Rizzo's postgame interview (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Luis Valbuena and Anthony Rizzo celebrate the Cubs' 3-2 win over the Astros (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Tomorrow the Cubs and Astros will play the final game of the series at 1:20pm CT.  Travis Wood is scheduled to start for the Cubs and will try for his third win of the season.

Cubs come close, but lose 4-3 to the Red Sox; Cubs have signed 15 of 42 draft picks

The Cubs made tonight's game against the Boston Red Sox interesting in the 7th inning when third baseman Luis Valbuena hit a three-run homer to pull the Cubs within a run of the Red Sox.  However, the Cubs couldn't manage to score after that and end up losing the game 4-3.

Third baseman Luis Valbuena after hitting a three-run homer against the Red Sox (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs and allowed three runs on four hits while striking out six and walking three batters over 5.1 innings pitched.  He didn't have his best outing, but he also didn't receive much run support.

Jeff Samardzija started in game 2 against the Red Sox (photo from Chicago Tribune)

 

Jeff Samardzija shows he's happy with catcher Wellington Castillo's play (photo from Chicago Tribune

In the sixth inning, Alfonso Soriano hit a ball hard to Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks, who dropped the liner, but Soriano stood at the plate and never bothered to run to first base with two runners on base.  Fans booed Soriano's laziness and he was booed again when taking his spot in left field in the top of the seventh inning.  Who knows, that could've made the difference between the Cubs losing or winning the game.

Actor and Chicago area native Vince Vaughn threw out the first pitch and sang the seventh inning stretch tonight.

Actor Vince Vaughn throws out the first pitch before the Cubs-Red Sox game (photo from Chicago Tribune)

In other Cubs news, third baseman Ian Stewart, who is the disabled list with soreness in his left wrist, is scheduled to see a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic on Monday. 

Catcher Koyie Hill, who was designated for assignment on Thursday, has cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa today.

The Cubs have now signed 15 of their 42 draft picks, but first-round pick Albert Almora is not one of those 15.  Almora is an outfielder out of Mater Academy Charter School in Florida.  The Cubs have until July 13 to agree on a deal with Almora, who is expected to sign with the team.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Red Sox will play the rubber game at 7:05pm CT.  Left handed pitcher Paul Maholm will start for the Cubs and try for his fifth win of the season.

Theo Epstein, Jason McLeod and Jed Hoyer continue with 2012 draft selections; Cubs to play Brewers in Milwaukee at 7:10pm CT

Today is day two of the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft.  Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, along with SVP of Scouting and Player Development Jason McLeod and GM Jed Hoyer followed through with their plans to replenish pitchers as they selected seven pitchers out of their nine picks today and also selected two pitchers yesterday.

Here are the Cubs' selections for Day 2:

RHP Duane Underwood, Pope High School in Georgia with the 67th overall pick

RHP Ryan McNeil, Nipomo High School in California with the 101st overall pick

RHP Joshua Conway, Coastal Carolina University with the 134th overall pick

LHP Anthony Prieto, Americas High School in Texas with the 164th overall pick

RHP Trey Lang, Gateway Community College in Arizona with the 194th overall pick

3B Stephen Bruno, University of Virginia with the 224th overall pick

LHP Michael Heesch, University of South Carolina Beaufort with the 254th overall pick

C Chadd Krist, University of California with the 284th overall pick

RHP Chad Martin, Indiana University with the 314th overall pick

Cubs' first round pick Albert Almora says he is focusing on college (Chicago Tribune photo)

Yesterday, the Cubs selected high school outfielder Albert Almora with their first pick (No. 6 overall).  It sounds like Almora isn't in any hurry to come to an agreement with the Cubs as he has a scholarship to the University of Miami and says, "My main priority now is college.  I just graduated high school and I have a full scholarship to the University of Miami, and that's all I'm looking forward to right now."  Almora's agent is Scott Boras, who has a history of playing hardball.  We'll see what happens.

The Cubs also selected Missouri State right-handed pitcher Pierce Johnson (No. 43 overall) and high school right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn (No. 56 overall) yesterday.

Tonight the Cubs will play the first game of a three-game series against the Brewers in Milwaukee at 7:10pm CT.  Ryan Dempster will start for the Cubs and try for his first win of the season.  Let's hope Dempster will get some run support from his teammates.