Cubs win 5-3 over the Padres as Kevin Gregg earns 4th save and Darwin Barney and Cody Ransom each with two RBIs

The Cubs opened their 10-game homestand with a 5-3 win over the San Diego Padres on a 70-degree spring night at Wrigley Field.  Jeff Samardzija was the starting pitcher and allowed three runs on four hits while walking four and striking out eight batters over five innings pitched. 

The Shark didn't have his best outing of the season as he walked Everth Cabrera to lead off the game and then allowed a single to Chase Headley.  Samardzija then threw two wild pitches and the runners advanced and Cabrera ended up scoring on that second wild pitch.

Michael Bowden earned the win and Kevin Gregg got James Russell out of an 8th inning jam and closed out the game to earn his fourth save of the season.  It sure is nice to see the Cubs have an effective bullpen that's actually doing the job they're there for. 

Scott Hairston and former Padre Cody Ransom hit back-to-back homers in the second inning and Ransom also had two RBIs, which included a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning.

Scott Hairston and Cody Ransom hit back-to-back homers in the second inning against the Padres (Chicago Tribune photo)

Second baseman Darwin Barney had two RBI doubles tonight as well, drew a walk and was 2-for-3.  It sure is good to have him back and see his bat come alive!

Darwin Barney had two RBIs against the Padres (Chicago Tribune photo)

Tomorrow the Cubs and Padres will play the second game of the four-game series at 7:05pm CT.  Edwin Jackson will start for the Cubs and try to earn his first win of the season.  Go Cubs Go!

Cubs win 4-3 over Indians; Injury updates and Opening Day starting lineup

The Cubs won 4-3 over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday in Goodyear, Arizona.  Chris Rusin made the start for the Cubs and allowed two hits while walking three and striking out three over six innings pitched.

Chris Rusin allowed just two hits against the Indians on Sunday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Michael Bowden replaced Rusin in the sixth inning and pitched 1 2/3 perfect innings.  Although Rusin was considered for a spot in the Cubs bullpen, the team decided that it would make more sense to keep Rusin at Triple-A Iowas as a sixth starter.

"You've got to stay positive,'' Rusin said.  "It's difficult not to make any team, but you just take it as a learning experience.  I'll go down and work on things I have to work on and be ready when they call.'' 

In other Cubs news, right handed starting pitcher Scott Baker will be shut down and out of commission for at least a month with a right elbow strain.  Baker is still recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had in April 2012.

Scott Baker is still recovering from Tommy John surgery (photo from Chicago Tribune)

The earliest third baseman Ian Stewart could play will be five weeks.  He has been sidelined with a sore left quad since February 21st and will start the season on the disabled list.  Stewart will stay in Arizona until the Minor League teams begin their seasons.  If things progress on track, Stewart could be ready to rejoin the Cubs around the end of April or beginning of May.

Starting pitcher Matt Garza is scheduled to have a bullpen session during the first week of April.  Garza suffered a lat injury this spring after he missed the last two months of the 2012 season with an elbow injury and will start the season on the disabled list.

Relief pitcher Rafael Dolis was optioned to Triple-A Iowa today, reducing the spring roster to 34 players.  Dave Sappelt was scratched from today's lineup since he suffered a bruised neck after being hit during the game on Saturday.  He is expected to be back in a few days.

On a lighter note, shortstop Starlin Castro turned 23 years  old today.  Happy Birthday, Starlin!

Tomorrow the Cubs will play the San Francisco Giants at 3:05 pm CST.  Travis Wood will make the start for the Cubs against Ryan Vogelsong.

Cubs uniforms being prepped for the season (photo by @CarrieMuskat on Twitter)

Manager Dale Sveum has set the starting lineup for Opening Day, which will include: David DeJesus leading off and followed by Starlin Castro, Anthony Rizzo, Alfonso Soriano, Nate Schierholtz, Welington Castillo, Luis Valbuena and Darwin Barney.  Only 8 more days until the Cubs open their season in Pittsburgh. 

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 make roster moves and start four-game series against Giants in San Francisco tonight

The Cubs will play game one of a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants tonight at 9:15pm CT at AT&T Park, where Paul Maholm will start for the Cubs and try to keep the team's winning streak (which is currently at three games) going.

During the off-day yesterday, the Cubs signed free agent pitcher Shane Lindsay and assigned him to Triple-A Iowa.  They also released pitcher Nate Robertson, who is now a free agent.

Today, the Cubs claimed right-handed pitcher Jairo Asencio off waivers from the Cleveland Indians.  Asencio will be on 25-man roster.  In a corresponding move, the Cubs designated right handed pitcher Michael Bowden for assignment.  Bowden was acquired in the Marlon Byrd trade with the Boston Red Sox.

The Cubs acquired former Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Jairo Asencio today (US Presswire photo)

The Cubs have named Triple-A Iowa first baseman Anthony Rizzo and Single-A Daytona right-handed pitcher P.J. Francescon as minor league player and pitcher of the month for May.

Stay tuned for a postgame update!

Cubs rally late, but lose 10-4 to the Pirates and drop 12th in a row

The Cubs dropped their 12th game in a row when they lost 10-4 to the Pittsburgh Pirates this afternoon.  Matt Garza started for the Cubs and allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits and walked one batter and struck out six on 91 pitches over five innings.

Garza's fielding error on a throw to first base on a bunt by Josh Harrison in the first inning got things started off on the wrong foot for the Cubs.  Garza then went on to allow three home runs and was pulled in the sixth inning. 

Matt Garza didn't have a good outing today against the Pirates (photo from cubs.com)

Rafael Dolis pitched in relief and walked the two batters he faced, before getting pulled.  Dolis has an 18.00 ERA over his last six appearances and has walked seven batters in four innings.

Michael Bowden came into the game next and didn't fare much better, as he allowed two runs on three hits during one inning pitched. 

Blake Parker was next and did a good job by allowing just one hit and striking out one batter on fifteen pitches in the seventh inning.  Randy Wells came in to pitch the eighth inning and was outstanding as he threw just six pitches and pitched a quick 1-2-3 inning.

The Cubs rallied in the eighth and ninth and scored four runs, but it was too little, too late.  Starlin Castro hit a two-run homer, which was nice to see. 

Starlin Castro rounds second after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning (Getty photo)

The Cubs were 12-9 in 21 games from April 21-May 14, but now are 2-14 in their last 16 games.  "We have passionate fans," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said.  "Patience is something a lot of fans don't have.  I'm a huge football fan, and I don't understand the Oakland Raiders losing every game.   That's the way it is.  Passionate fans want to win, just like we want to win.  That's just part of every city -- and especially in a city as passionate as Chicago Cubs fans are."

Maybe what the Cubs need is just a small change, such as shaving their facial hair together as a team to try to turn their mojo around.  Just food for thought, since I've noticed that some guys have been sporting full beards (that usually aren't), such as Ryan Dempster and Reed Johnson.

Before today's game, Sveum announced that Dolis has been removed as a designated closer and will be used in middle relief going forward.  James Russell and Shawn Camp will share the closer duties for now.  Carlos Marmol is expected to be back Monday or Tuesday, but will not return in the closer's role.

Tomorrow the Cubs will return home and play the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field at 1:20pm CT.  Travis Wood will make the start for the Cubs and let's hope he can help turn things around for this team!  Go Cubs Go!

Joe Mather's walk-off hit gives the Cubs the win against the Cardinals; Michael Bowden excited to join Cubs

What a game the Cubs had tonight!  Joe Mather delivered with a 2-run walk-off single in the ninth inning to win the game, 3-2 against the St. Louis Cardinals.  Matt Garza was the starting pitcher and allowed four hits and two earned runs and issued three walks and struck out five batters through seven innings pitched.  Here's a link to a video of Joe Mather's game-winning hit.

Joe Mather, Tony Campana and Alfonso Soriano celebrate their walk-off win against the Cardinals (photo from cubs.com)

Second baseman Darwin Barney scored the first run for the Cubs tonight (photo from cubs.com)

Since Tony Campana was called up from Triple-A Iowa over the weekend, he's had three hits in five at-bats, which is the same amount of hits Marlon Byrd had in 43 at-bats before he was traded to the Boston Red Sox over the weekend.  Right now, Theo Epstein and Co. are looking pretty wise!

Cubs manager Dale Sveum used right-handed hitters in the lineup tonight against left-handed Cardinals' pitcher Jaime Garcia, and sat third baseman Ian Stewart and first baseman Bryan LaHair out for Mather and Jeff Baker.

In other Cubs news, the team officially added Michael Bowden to the 25-man roster today and in turn, designated pitcher Rodrigo Lopez for assignment.  The Cubs hope that Lopez will clear waivers and accept a job at Triple-A Iowa to be in the starting rotation.  “Hopefully that happens, and hopefully he elects to go down there,” Cubs' manager Dale Sveum said.

Bowden is 25 years old and grew up in the Chicago area as a Cubs fan.  He said, "This is a dream come true.  I'm very blessed and fortunate and extremely excited."  Bowden currently resides in Oswego and attended high school in Aurora. Bowden was drafted in 2005 by the Boston Red Sox when Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein was the General Manager for the Red Sox and Jed Hoyer was Epstein's Assistant GM.   “They know me well and I know them well,” Bowden said.  “So it’s a nice level of comfort.”  Welcome home and welcome to the Cubs, Michael Bowden!

Tomorrow the Cubs will play game 2 against the Cardinals at 7:05pm, where Jeff Samardzija will start for the Cubs.

Randy Wells returns; Cubs lose 4-3 to the Reds; Starlin Castro ok after taking a pitch to elbow

The Cubs lost to the Reds today, 4-3 at a chilly Wrigley Field.  I was at the game and can attest that the wind was definitely blowing in and hardly let up throughout the game.

Randy Wells made his first start of the season and ended up with a no-decision.  He gave up just two runs over five innings.  Unfortunately, the Cubs' offense couldn’t score more than twice in today's game to win the series.

Wells was pitching in place of Ryan Dempster, who was put on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quad.  Wells started the 2012 season at Triple-A Iowa, after competing for a spot in the Cubs' starting rotation. 

"It's always tough to watch your teammates on TV, but we were down there [with Iowa] and it was what had to happen and you can't sit there and dwell on it," Wells said.  "You have to do what you can do down there to help your team win.  It's good to be back up.  The circumstances are rough. Hopefully I can pitch better the next time out and we'll see what happens."

Randy Wells made his first start of the season today in place of Ryan Dempster, who is on the DL

Manager Dale Sveum said, "He got some big outs when he had to.  He made some pitches and did a good job for five innings and did a good job getting out of some jams."

The Cubs had one scare in the seventh inning when Starlin Castro was hit on his left elbow by Cueto's pitch.  “I felt like it broke my whole arm the first time he hit me,” Castro said.  “But after I lay down [on the dirt] and ran the bases, the hurt was gone and I felt pretty good.”

Starlin Castro receives applause after he recovers from being hit in the elbow during the seventh inning

Castro ended up staying in the game and wore a protective brace on his elbow in the ninth when he tripled off former Cub Sean Marshall.  “I think [Castro] was more shocked [after he was hit],” Dale Sveum said. “I don’t think it got him on the bone — it got him more on the flesh, thank God.”

It was a chilly but beautiful day for Cubs baseball today

Tomorrow the Cubs will face the Cardinals at Wrigley Field at 7:05pm CST, where Matt Garza will be the starting pitcher.  The team will also have to make another roster move to make room for relief pitcher Michael Bowden, who was acquired yesterday in the trade with the Boston Red Sox for Marlon Byrd.