Cubs beat Rockies 4-2 to win third spring training game: Bunting Tournament down to Sweet Sixteen

The Cubs won their third spring training game this afternoon at HoHoKam Park when they defeated the Colorado Rockies 4-2.

Edwin Jackson made his pitching debut with the Cubs and gave up a pair of two-out hits over two scoreless innings.  Jackson said, "Today was pretty much evaluation, and see where I am.  It's all mental.  You keep the ball down and you execute pitches, and everything is pretty much good.  And you can have a lot of success with the ball down in the zone."

Here are the scores from the other Cubs spring training games so far this year:

2/25 - Cubs lost 7-6 to Dodgers
2/24- Cubs win 4-3 against Giants
2/23 - Cubs win 11-2 against Angels

Here are some photos from some of the spring training games:

Jeff Samardzija pitched the Cubs to a 4-3 win against the Giants on Sunday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Alfonso Soriano and David DeJesus in the outfield during Sunday's win against the Giants (Chicago Tribune photo)

An update on the Cubs' Bunting Tournament:

Brent Lillibridge, Michael Brenly, Jeff Samardzija and Blake Parker advanced on Tuesday.  The players who have reached the sweet 16 and their next match is listed below:
Pitchers: 
Travis Wood vs Nate Halm (video guy)
Jeff Samardzija vs Blake Parker

Position players:
Brent Lillibridge vs Michael Brenly
Edwin Maysonet vs Andy Lane (bullpen catcher)

On Wednesday, left-handed pitcher Brooks Raley will start for the Cubs against the Dodgers at HoHoKam Park.

Chris Volstad earns 2nd win in a row as Cubs win 6-4 over Giants

The Cubs won 6-4 over the San Francisco Giants this afternoon at Wrigley Field.  Chris Volstad started for the Cubs and allowed two runs on five hits while walking three batters and striking out two over 5-2/3 innings pitched.  Volstad earned his second straight win after finally breaking free of his 24-game winless streak in his previous start on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies.

Volstad addressed the streak and said, "Winning two in a row, or losing 24 in a row, I'm still going to pitch in the rotation the next five days and I have to get ready for that, just like I would any other time."

Alfonso Soriano had an amazing game as he drove in three runs and also hit his 24th home run.  Anthony Rizzo also hit his 10th homer today, which was under video review before the umpires deemed it a home run.  Wellington Castillo also ended up with an inside-the-park homer in the third inning.

The Cubs finished August on a high note, despite an 8-21 record for the month.  The team is motivated to not lose 100 games this season, so they are prepared to play hard in September.  This is especially important, because it would make it even harder for everyone if they were not even trying, but that's definitely not the case.

Anthony Rizzo and Alfonso Soriano both hit homers in Friday's game against the Giants (photo from cubs.com)

Joe Mather scores on Friday against the Cubs' win against the Giants (photo from Chicago Tribune)

In other Cubs news, the team recalled left-hander Jeff Beliveau from Triple-A Iowa and optioned left-hander Brooks Raley to Iowa.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Giants will play the second game in the three-game series at 12:05pm CT.  Justin Germano will make the start for the Cubs and try to earn his third win of the season.  He will face right hander Tim Lincecum. 

Cubs overcome 6-run deficit for a walk-off win against the Brewers

The Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 12-11 in the final game of the four-game series Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field, which was one of the crazier up-and-down games of the season.

Brooks Raley started for the Cubs and allowed seven runs on ten hits while walking two batters and striking out two over four innings pitched.  The Cubs then used four relief pitchers before Carlos Marmol came in as the Cubs' final pitcher and ended up earning the win today.

The Cubs celebrate their walk-off win against the Brewers on Thursday (photo from Chicago Cubs)

The Cubs were down six runs and tied the game and then fell behind 11-9 and then scored three runs in the ninth to walk-off with the win.  Alfonso Soriano's deep RBI single drove home Starlin Castro who scored the winning run. 

"Obviously our best win of the year," manager Dale Sveum said.

The Cubs celebrate their walk-off win against the Brewers on Thursday (Getty Images photo)

Alfonso Soriano had the game-winning walk-off RBI on Thursday against the Brewers (photo from cubs.com)

Tomorrow the Cubs will start a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants at 1:20pm CT at Wrigley Field.  Chris Volstad will start for the Cubs and try to earn his second win of the season, after winning his last start and breaking free of his winless games streak.

Darwin Barney sets errorless games record but Cubs lose 3-1 to Brewers

The Cubs lost 3-1 to the Milwaukee Brewers in the third game of the four-game series Wednesday night at Wrigley Field.  Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs and allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out ten batters and walked none over seven innings pitched. 

Samardzija was charged with his 12th loss of the season, as the Cubs offense never really woke up tonight and the Shark's own throwing error in the seventh inning was what put the Brew Crew ahead.

Jeff Samardzija struck out ten batters against the Brewers on Wednesday night (photo from cubs.com)

The Cubs scored their only run in the second inning when Darwin Barney had an RBI groundout.  Speaking of Barney, his errorless game streak is now at 114 and he has set the NL record for consecutive errorless games by a second baseman in a season.  Barney was originally charged with an error in the seventh inning, but the call was later reversed and changed to Luis Valbuena, who missed Barney's throw to third base.  Phew! Darwin's streak lives on!

Manager Dale Sveum said the following about Barney, "He's made a conscious effort to be the best in baseball on an everyday basis.  Not one day have I seen him take any ground balls off or take any days off.  It's been the same routine, same intensity every single day for him."

Darwin Barney's errorless game streak is now at 114 games and has set a new record (Getty Images photo)

In other Cubs news, the Cleveland Indians claimed left-handed relief pitcher Scott Maine on waivers from the Cubs on Wednesday.  The Cubs also activated RHP Blake Parker from the 60-day disabled list and designated left-handed pitcher Alex Hinshaw for assignment.

On Monday, pitcher Scott Maine was designated for assignment to make room for catcher Anthony Recker on the 40-man roster.  Recker was acquired from the Oakland A's for catcher Blake Lalli.

Starlin Castro signed a seven-year, $60 million contract extension with the Cubs.  The contract doesn't include no-trade provisions but includes a $16 million club option for 2020 with a $1 million buyout clause and a $6 million signing bonus.  Half of the bonus is paid upfront, with $1 million spread out over the first three years, which includes base salaries of $5 million for both 2013 and 2014, followed by salaries of $6 million, $7 million, $9 million, $10 million and $11 million.

Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said, "We’ve gotten to know him very well since (the sexual assault allegations).  And we feel completely comfortable investing in him long-term.  I thought he and his representatives handled themselves appropriately during the process."

Tomorrow the Cubs will play the final game in the four-game series against the Brewers at 1:20pm CT.  Brooks Raley will make the start for the Cubs and most likely won't go beyond five innings, since it's only his fifth major league start.

Brett Jackson with 3rd HR but Cubs fall 4-3 to Rockies on a sweltering Saturday at Wrigley Field

The Cubs lost 4-3 to the Colorado Rockies today in the second game of the three-game series.  Brooks Raley started for the Cubs and allowed two runs on five hits and walked three batters and struck out four over five innings pitched.

Brooks Raley started for the Cubs against the Rockies on Saturday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Pitcher Chris Rusin was optioned to Triple-A Iowa as the corresponding move when Raley was recalled before Saturday's game.  Rusin gave up just one hit over five innings against the Brewers last week, which happened to be an infield single that had deflected off his foot.  Rusin is expected to be called back up when rosters expand in a week.

Brett Jackson hit his third home run since being called up from Triple-A Iowa, which scored two runs in the fourth inning.  Today's loss was the team's 19th in their last 24 games.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Rockies will play the final game in the series at 1:20CT.  Chris Volstad will make the start for the Cubs and hopefully will finally get a win.

Cubs open 10-game homestand with 5-3 win over Rockies

The Cubs returned to Wrigley Field and beat the Colorado Rockies 5-3 this afternoon to start a three-game series and 10-game homestand.  Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs and allowed three runs over six hits and walked two batters and struck out seven over seven innings pitched.

Although Samardzija ended up with a no-decision, he said, "If you look at all of my starts this year, that's probably one of the more proud starts I can say that I had.  There's been times when I've had good stuff and it's gone smoothly.  To come out early and scuffle, really not have fastball command or my slider all game, to get through the seven innings felt really good.  Felt like a starting pitcher."

Alfonso Soriano, Wellington Castillo and Brett Jackson all hit homers and Joe Mather had the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning.  Relief pitcher James Russell ended up with the win today.

Brett Jackson is congratulated by third base coach Pat Listach after hitting his homer against the Rockies on Friday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Relief pitcher James Russell earned the win on Friday against the Rockies (photo from Chicago Tribune)

In other Cubs news, the Cubs selected right-handed pitcher Miguel Socolovich off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.  Socolovich was optioned him to Triple-A Iowa. In a corresponding move catcher Blake Lalli was designated for assignment.

The Cubs also selected left-handed pitcher Alex Hinshaw off waivers from the San Diego Padres earlier this week.  Hinshaw is with the team, but hasn't appeared in a game with the Cubs yet.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Rockies will play the second game of the series at 12:05 CT.  Brooks Raley will start for the Cubs and try to earn his second win. 

Cubs win 7-1 over Astros; Darwin Barney extends errorless streak to franchise-leading 100 games

The Cubs beat the Houston Astros, 7-1 at Wrigley Field tonight.  Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs and earned his eighth win of the season.  The "Shark" allowed one run on four hits and struck out 11 over seven innings pitched.

Jeff Samardzija earned his 8th win of the season and struck out 11 against the Astros on Monday night (photo from cubs.com)

I'm glad the Cubs offense finally came back tonight, as Darwin Barney and Alfonso Soriano both homered and Anthony Rizzo had four singles.

Darwin Barney also extended his club-record errorless streak to 100 games.  He has only one error in 110 games.  Manager Dale Sveum said, "Right now there's no doubt in my mind he should win the Gold Glove.  I know there are other guys out there that have done good jobs but I'd hate to see anybody that's done a better job on every facet of the game.  It's hard to think anybody's better at pop ups down the right field line that people forget about the way he goes after those."

Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney has a 100-game errorless streak, which leads the club's all-time record

“Turning the double play, he's been unbelievable.  It's not just making errors or not having any errors.  It's the range he's showed, the ability to have everything in his tool box going to his right, going to his left.”  Go, Darwin!

Barney said, “I put a lot of work into it and getting another year under my belt at the second-base position I think was big.  I reflected and thought about what are the plays I got in trouble on and what plays were tough for me.  Coming out early and having four or five coaches that played the infield helps.”

In other Cubs news, the team optioned pitcher Brooks Raley to Triple-A Iowa and called up Michael Bowden.  They also moved third baseman Ian Stewart to the 60-day disabled list.  Stewart had wrist surgery on July 10th and will be out for the rest of the season.

Raley's trip to Iowa is just temporary, since the Cubs will need him to start one of the games during Saturday's doubleheader against the Reds.  The team plans to recall Raley then.  New this season, teams can have a 26-man roster for doubleheaders so Raley will be the 26th man on Saturday and a relief pitcher will most likely be sent down before Sunday's game.  Bowden was called up to help out James Russell and Shawn Camp in the bullpen.

Starting pitcher Brooks Raley was sent down to Triple-A Iowa temporarily (Getty Images photo)

Tomorrow the Cubs and Astros will play the second game of the series at 7:05pm CT.  Chris Volstad will make the start for the Cubs and will hopefully be able to finally earn his first win as a Cub and also end his streak of 22 winless starts.

Cubs lose 3-0 to Reds, but Brooks Raley makes an impression on Sveum

The Cubs lost 3-0 to the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on Sunday afternoon.  They have now lost 11 of their last 12 games since the trade deadline passed on July 31st, averaging 2.4 runs per game since.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said, "You can say what you want, but our starters have actually done a pretty good job since the Trade Deadline.  We've just stopped hitting." 

Rookie left-handed pitcher Brooks Raley made his second start for the Cubs and retired the first 13 hitters he faced and left the game after six innings trailing 3-0.

Left handed starter Brooks Raley pitched well against the Reds on Sunday (photo from cubs.com)

Even though the Cubs lost the game, Sveum spoke highly of Raley and said, "He did a great job.  A couple of fly balls went out, and they weren't even hit that good.  He kept the ball down with movement.  He had a lot of life on the ball.  He did far and above what we wanted."

Raley said, "In the five days between starts I got to watch the older guys, see what they do.  The biggest thing I saw them do was throw strike one, getting ahead, working down (in the strike zone)."

Well, I'm glad to see that at least the starting pitching hasn't been the issue since the Cubs traded Ryan Dempster and Paul Maholm and Matt Garza has been on the disabled list.  But it sure would be nice if the offense could get going again.

The Cubs will start a three-game series against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field beginning tonight at 7:05pm CT.  Jeff Samardzija will start for the Cubs and try to earn his eighth win of the season.

Josh Vitters gets first MLB career hit and RBI as Cubs lose seventh straight; Alfonso Soriano's swollen hand is latest injury to hit Cubs

The Cubs lost 7-4 to the San Diego Padres in the second game of the three-game series.  Brooks Raley was called up from Triple-A Iowa to make his first Major League start, but didn't fare too well as he allowed seven runs on eight hits and issued three walks.  He was pulled after throwing 89 pitches.

Brooks Raley made his major league debut against the Padres on Tuesday (photo from cubs.com)

Tonight marks the team's seventh loss in a row.  Raley gave up four runs in the third after getting through the first two innings without allowing any runs.  He then gave up a three-run homer in the fourth to put the Cubs in the hole 7-0.

Darwin Barney's RBI double in the fifth inning got the Cubs going.  Josh Vitters had his first major league hit and RBI in the seventh which advanced the score to 7-4.  It was nice to see his teammates signing a commemorative ball for Vitters during the game.

Third baseman Josh Vitters got his first Major League hit and RBI against the Padres Tuesday night (photo from cubs.com)

One semi-disturbing thing is that outfielder Brett Jackson struck out eight times and walked once in his last nine plate appearances.  Jackson needs to stop swinging at pitches that are balls and start swinging at pitches that would be strikes.  But I'm sure it's way easier said than done.

One interesting thing to point out is that this year's Cubs team has already had 46 different players on it this season, which is just five shy of the club's record, which was set in 2000.  Of the current 25-man roster, fifteen players are new to the Cubs this year.

One helpful thing is that a lot of the new Cubs are familiar with each other because they were teammates at Triple-A Iowa.  Pitcher Jeff Beliveau said, “We’ve had about six new guys here since I was called up (on July 22).  It’s nice playing with guys that you played with in the minor leagues.  It gives you that confidence.  I see them doing it, so why can’t I do it? It’s the same game.”

In other Cubs news, outfielder Alfonso Soriano was taken out of tonight's lineup due to swelling in his right hand as a result of his hand accidentally being hit by the Padres' second baseman Logan Forsythe while sliding into second base during Monday's game.

"I don't feel comfortable holding the bat," Soriano said.  "He tried swinging a bat and couldn't do it," said manager Dale Sveum.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Padres will play the final game in the series at 5:35pm CT.  Jeff Samardzija will start for the Cubs and try for his eighth win of the season.

Cubs lose sixth straight; Matt Garza out indefinitely

The Cubs lost 2-0 to the San Diego Padres, which is their sixth loss in a row.  Travis Wood started for the Cubs and allowed two runs over five hits and issued three walks and struck out three batters over six innings pitched.  Wood was charged with the loss and is now is 4-8 on the season.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was in the starting lineup for the first time in his career and and also made an incredible diving stop followed by a strong throw to get an out at first.

Third baseman Josh Vitters made an amazing diving stop on Monday night against the Padres

Centerfielder Brett Jackson was in the leadoff spot in his second career MLB game but perhaps it was too much pressure, too soon, as he struck out in his four at-bats tonight.

Brett Jackson didn't do well in the leadoff spot on Monday night against the Padres

In other Cubs news, Matt Garza has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right elbow and is out indefinitely, which means he could miss the rest of the season.  This is not good at all.

Pitcher Matt Garza is out indefinitely with a stress reaction in his elbow

Therefore, the Cubs will call up left-handed pitcher Brooks Raley from Triple-A Iowa to start for the Cubs on Tuesday in San Diego.  Raley was the Cubs' Pitcher of the Month in July and posted a 2.12 ERA.

It sounds like Raley, a 6th round pick in 2009, is excited, as he tweeted the following this afternoon, "Thanks everyone for the follow and good luck wishes...it's a dream come true #Iamtrulyblessed #cubs"

Brooks Raley will make his Cubs debut against the Padres on Tuesday

When Raley arrives in San Diego, he will be the 14th rookie to join the Cubs this season.  Tomorrow's game will be at 9:05pm CT and I sure hope Raley will get off to a good start and help snap this losing streak!