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. 

Matt Garza leaves in 4th inning with cramps and Cubs bullpen gets blown out 12-0 by Cardinals; Ron Santo's HOF induction and soccer match at Wrigley on Sunday

The Cubs lost 12-0 to the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium tonight.  The Cards scored all 12 runs in the seventh inning, which tied the Cubs record for most runs allowed in an inning.  Matt Garza started for the Cubs and pitched three scoreless innings, but had to leave the game early with cramps in his right triceps.  X-rays on his arm were negative and his status is day-to-day.

Matt Garza had to leave the game against the Cardinals in the third inning due to cramping in his right triceps (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Newly acquired right handed pitcher Justin Germano came into the game to replace Garza in the fourth inning and pitched three scoreless innings before allowing an infield hit to lead off the seventh inning and was pulled from the game.

After that, the Cardinals took advantage of James Russell, Manny Corpas and Rafael Dolis to score a dozen runs.  The last time the Cubs gave up 12 runs in an inning was on July 30th, 2010 against the Rockies.

Justin Germano made his Cubs debut when he came into the game to replace Garza (photo from Chicago Tribune)

In other Cubs news, FOX Sports reported that the Dodgers are "very unlikely" to come up with a package for Ryan Dempster, which is a change from yesterday, when the Cubs were supposedly weighing a package from the Dodgers for Dempster.  Reporter Ken Rosenthal said the Dodgers prefer not to trade their better prospects for a rental player, since Dempster will be a free agent after this season.

The Dodgers may not be interested in trading for Ryan Dempster after all (photo from Chicago Tribune)

However, there are still rumors of the Dodgers having interest in Garza, but that's all they are at this point - rumors.  Manager Dale Sveum talked about players being concerned about the rumors and said, "You just nip it in the bud.  You're like, 'Guys, there are going to be rumors.  All it takes is somebody to think this team needs a kind of player like you are and your name is going to be mentioned, and there's no substance to anything.'  Obviously there might be substance, but 90 percent of the time (there isn't), and out of nowhere it's 'Wow.'"

Cubs GM Jed Hoyer also weighed in and said, "All the guys on your team sit there and look over their shoulder.  I think everyone exhales after the Deadline for that reason.  I think every player on that field has been part of some rumor at some point this year, even Starlin [Castro] for a while -- that rumor was out there, which was unfounded."

Tomorrow the Cubs and Cardinals will play the final game in the three-game series at 1:15pm CT in St. Louis.  Travis Wood will start for the Cubs and try to earn his fifth win of the season.  Here's to hoping the Cubs don't get swept by the redbirds.

Ron Santo will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame along with Reds shortstop Barry Larkin tomorrow at 1:30pm ET in Cooperstown, NY.  Live coverage will start on MLB Network and will also be simulcast on MLB.com an hour earlier.  For more information about Ron Santo's induction, here's a link to the article on cubs.com.

Ron Santo's banner at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY

Also, back in Chicago, Wrigley Field will host the international "Friendly at the Confines" match tomorrow between Italy's AS Roma and Poland's Zaglebie Lubin at 2:30pm CT.

Soccer players practice at Wrigley Field on Saturday to get ready for Sunday's match (photo from @Cubs on twitter)

Jeff Samardzija, Casey Coleman and Cubs get whopped 17-1 by the Mets; Roster moves made today

The Cubs lost by a whopping score of 17-1 to the New York Mets at Wrigley Field this afternoon.  Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs and allowed nine runs on six hits and issued four walks over 4-1/3 innings pitched.  Samardzija was charged with his seventh loss of the season and now has an ERA of 5.05.  In his last five starts, the "Shark" has been charged with 27 earned runs over 23-1/3 innings. 

Jeff Samardzija didn't fare well today and takes the loss against the Mets (photo from cubs.com)

"The walks aren't acceptable, especially with the conditions we had today,'' said Samardzija, who walked four.  "If you're going to give up home runs, they have to be solo home runs.  You can't give up runs for free.''

The Mets hit three home runs in a 10-batter stretch during a six-run fifth inning against Samardzija.   Casey Coleman came into the game in relief and didn't fare better, giving up another six runs in the sixth inning, including a grand slam to Scott Hairston.  Perhaps the Cubs shouldn't have shipped Randy Wells off so quickly after his start last night....seeing as Samardzija and Coleman both fared much worse than Wells did....

Yesterday's hero, newcomer first baseman Anthony Rizzo went 1-for-4 with a double in today's game.  Even he couldn't help save the Cubs today.

As I mentioned above, right handed pitcher Randy Wells was designated for assignment today.  Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Wells was DFA'ed instead of simply being optioned to Triple-A Iowa because the Cubs needed a roster spot for outfielder Jorge Soler.

Randy Wells was designated for assignment on Tuesday

The $30 million, nine-year Soler deal is expected to be official in the next few days.  If Wells is claimed on waivers by another team, that team would be responsible for the remaining $1.5 million on his $2.7 million salary.

However, if Wells clears waivers, he will be outrighted to Iowa.  But I think it's totally unfair since there are pitchers still on the roster that have worse numbers than Wells.  Such as, Samardzija, who has allowed 27 earned runs in his last 23 1/3 innings pitched.  That's an ERA of 11.64 in his last four starts.

This all goes back to my belief that Wells never got a fair look in spring training this year by the new Cubs' front office and Sveum.  He hardly got to pitch in ST and when he did, he pitched well.  But for some unknown reason, Wells was sent to Iowa to start out the season and Chris Volstad took a spot in the starting rotation.  And Volstad flopped and was eventually sent to Iowa.  Plus, many people are quick to forget that Wells pitched two complete games, with one being a complete game shutout last season.  Anyway.....

The Cubs also recalled relief pitcher Rafael Dolis from Iowa today.  We'll see how things go for him this time around.

The Cubs have an off-day tomorrow and will play a three-game series at Wrigley Field against the Houston Astros starting at 1:20pm on Friday, when Paul Maholm will start for the Cubs and try for his fifth win of the season.

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!

Cubs finding new ways to lose 11th consecutive game

The Cubs lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-2 tonight, which is their 11th loss in a row.

Paul Maholm made the start for the Cubs and allowed two runs on four hits and walked five and struck out two batters.  He lasted five innings and threw 94 pitches.

Casey Coleman and Shawn Camp pitched in relief of Maholm and threw a combined three scoreless innings.  However, Rafael Dolis came into a 2-2 tied game in the ninth and loaded the bases and then proceeded to hit Matt Hague with a pitch, which allowed the Pirates to score the winning run.  Are you kidding me?  What a letdown.  I'm pretty sure tonight's way of losing isn't what Theo Epstein was thinking when he was talking about the "Cubs Way."  Don't get me wrong, I love the Cubs, but tonight's loss was an especially hard one to take.

Former Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm returned to Pittsburgh for the first time since joining the Cubs during the offseason (photo from cubs.com)

The Cubs have now lost 11 games in a row.  "You're always surprised when you lose 10 games in a row," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said.  "That's hard to do, really, especially when you're getting pretty good starting pitching, for the most part.  You're losing one-run ballgames and you're getting shutout three, four five times in a 10-game span, that's almost fluky type numbers - what we're going through right now.  So you don't expect those kind of numbers on a consistent basis through 10 games."

Sveum said he hasn't held a team meeting since they could be negative meetings and he would rather have individualized meetings.  In general, Sveum said meetings are usually called due to lack of effort, but he feels that it's not the case with this team.

The Cubs eentered today's game against the Pirates 0-for-25 with runners in scoring position over the last three games, including 0-for-12 on Friday.

In Cubs' minor league news, Blake DeWitt, was placed on the disabled list with a sprained left wrist which he injured while diving for the ball in the outfield.  DeWitt has played in four games for Triple-A Iowa since he was designated for assignment by the Cubs.

Left-handed pitcher Jeff Beliveau, who has pitched in 16 games in relief for Iowa, was also placed on the disabled list with a strained shoulder.

The Cubs signed free agent infielder Diory Hernandez, 28, to Triple-A Iowa, who was hitting .159 for Triple-A Oklahoma City and released on May 23.


Tomorrow the Cubs and Pirates will play the final game of the series at 12:35pm CT.  Matt Garza will start for the Cubs and try for his third win of the season.  He currently is 2-2 with a 3.72 ERA.

Cubs hold inaugural Social Media Night and lose 9-2 to Phillies; Lendy Castillo to DL; Scott Maine called up

The Cubs lost 9-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies tonight at Wrigley Field.  Matt Garza started for the Cubs and allowed two runs during six and 2/3 innings pitched.

Garza had a 2.58 ERA, but remains stuck on two victories.  Before the game, Cubs manager Dale Sveum said, "Garza has an edge every time he steps on the mound," referring to his dominant pitching.

But Garza somehow loses that edge whenever he has to make fielding throw, especially when the opposing team tries to bunt against him.  Garza messed up fielding two bunts in today's game with very weak throws to Bryan LaHair at first base.

Shawn Camp ended up with the loss tonight and Michael Bowden allowed a grand slam in the ninth inning.  The Cubs' bullpen has definitely been the team's biggest weakness, blowing eight of 14 save chances.  Rookie closer Rafael Dolis is trying to learn on the job, veteran Kerry Wood has been struggling to find his control, and Carlos Marmol is on the disabled list with an injured hamstring.

On a brighter note, Alfonso Soriano, who went with a lighter bat again, hit a 2-run homer tonight, which was his second home run in a week. 

Matt Garza allowed two runs during 6 and 2/3 innings pitched (photo from cubs.com)

Blake DeWitt cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa today.  Dewitt has 24 hours to accept the assignment, which he is expected to do.

Carlos Marmol is at least 10 days away from coming off the disabled list.

The Cubs put Lendy Castillo on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain and called up Scott Maine from Triple-A Iowa to take his spot on the roster.

The Cubs held their inaugural Social Media Night tonight before and during the game. Below are some photos from the event:

The Cubs inaugural social media night panel (photo from @CMCWrigleyville twitter)

Cubs third baseman Ian Stewart displays his social media night card (photo from @Cubs twitter)

Tomorrow the Cubs and Phillies will play game 2 of 2 at 7:05pm CT at Wrigley Field.  Chris Volstad will start for the Cubs and try for his first win of the season.

Cubs get a 6-4 "W" to lead off series against Cardinals

The Cubs won the first game 6-4 of the 2-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium tonight.  Ryan Dempster started for the Cubs but ended up with a no-decision.  Before tonight's game, Dempster led the Major Leagues with a 1.02 ERA, but was winless after five starts. 

Since the National League began keep track of earned-run average in 1912, no pitcher has ever had as low of an ERA after his first five starts without a win. The next lowest was Randy Wells, who posted a 1.69 ERA after five starts in 2009 while going 0-2.

The Cubs offense gave Dempster four runs of support, but he wasn't able to hold the lead and gave up four runs in the sixth inning, matching the total he had given up in his first 25 1/3 innings this season and raising his ERA to 1.74.

Shawn Camp ended up recording the win and Rafael Dolis pitched an impressive ninth inning.  The Cubs left the bases loaded in the second, third and seventh innings.

Alfonso Soriano's RBI single in the eighth inning gave the Cubs a 5-4 lead. 

Alfonso Soriano hits the go-ahead single in the eighth inning (US Presswire photo)

Tomorrow the Cubs and Cardinals will play at 12:45pm in St. Louis, where lefty Paul Maholm will go for his fifth straight win.

Cubs lose to Brewers in crazy 13-inning game; David DeJesus hits grand slam

Tonight was a pretty up and down game for the Cubs.  They were trailing 1-0 until David DeJesus came into the game as a pinch hitter and hit his second career grand slam in the seventh inning to make it Cubs 4, Brewers 1.

David DeJesus celebrates his 2nd career grand slam at Miller Park (photo from cubs.com)

Matt Garza started for the Cubs after 11 days of rest because he had the flu.  He pitched five innings and allowed one run on four hits and allowed five walks.  He struggled in the first inning when he loaded the bases with no outs and then former Cub Aramis Ramirez drove in a run with a double play grounder.

Carlos Marmol came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and left the game with a strained right hamstring.  He was actually throwing a lot of fastballs in the mid-90 mph range but the Brewers scored one run off him.  Then Michael Bowden came into the game and the rest was downhill.  Bowden served up a three-run double to Jonathan Lucroy to make it a 5-4 game.

In the ninth inning, Ian Stewart reached on a throwing error by Ramirez and advanced when closer John Axford threw a wild pitch.  DeJesus then tripled which brought home the tying run and ended up also scoring the go-ahead run.  Alfonso Soriano then singled to give the Cubs a two-run lead and led to Axford's exit.

But Rafael Dolis came in to pitch the ninth and blows the Cubs' lead by allowing a 2-run homer to Coery Hart.  Kerry Wood pitched next and kept the game interesting, by throwing 9 straight balls for his first nine pitched, but luckily no one was able to score.  The game then continued into the 13th inning, when Lendy Castillo hit the first two batters and then gave up a single to Ramirez and a game-winning RBI single to Corey Hart.  The Brewers win, 8-7.

Tomorrow the two teams will play game 2  at 12:05pm CT, where Chris Volstad will start for the Cubs.

Paul Maholm and the Cubs beat the Dodgers, 5-4 at Wrigley Field

The Cubs beat the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field today, 5-4 to start off the three-game series.  Paul Maholm was on top of his game and allowed three hits and no walks during six innings pitched.  During the top of the sixth inning, Maholm was hit on his right leg by a ground ball but ended up being ok and finished pitching the inning.

Paul Maholm only allowed three hits during six innings pitched today (photo from Chicago Tribune

James Russell allowed one run in the seventh inning.  Kerry Wood made his first relief appearance since coming off the disabled list yesterday and allowed two runs in the eighth inning.  However, Rafael Dolis was successful in his first save opportunity.  Cubs manager Dale Sveum has pulled Carlos Marmol out of the closer role after his recent blown saves.  He said that Dolis and James Russell will split the closer duties for now and that the team would "wing it."

The Cubs will play the Dodgers tomorrow at 12:05pm CT at Wrigley Field.  Chris Volstad will start for the Cubs and try for his first win of the season.

Dempster returns with a gem of a start for the Cubs, but bad Marmol also returns and blows the game

Ryan Dempster returned to the Cubs' roster from the 15-day disabled list today and pitched a gem of a game, but unfortunately Carlos Marmol was not on his game today and contributed to the Cubs loss to the Reds, 4-3 in 10 innings.

Dempster was excellent allowed just three hits and no runs and walked only one and struck out six batters during eight innings pitched.

Ryan Dempster pitched an excellent game on his birthday today, but his efforts were wasted by Carlos Marmol (photo from cubs.com)

Marmol was charged with all three runs in the ninth inning without recording an out, which allowed the Reds to tie the game.  The Reds then won the game in the 10th inning on a sacrifice fly.  Rafael Dolis was the losing pitcher.

Starlin Castro, Bryan LaHair, and Geovany Soto each hit solo home runs during today's game.

Today was the first time in major league history two opposing pitchers have shared the same birthday, according to the Elias Sports Bureau (Dempster turns 35 today and Homer Bailey turns 26 today).  Dempster also pitched well on his birthday last season but ended up with a no-decision.  The last Cubs pitcher to record a victory on his birthday was Randy Wells on August 28, 2010.

Since the Cubs activated Dempster and reliever Kerry Wood off the disabled list today, they also made corresponding moves and optioned Scott Maine and Wells to Triple-A Iowa.

Wells said, "The walks are the only thing really that spoils this whole thing.  I thought I pitched pretty good against the Reds, just the five walks look (terrible).  Obviously the fourth inning at Philly unraveled, and I let it get away from me.  But I'm no different than I have been the last three years.  I just had a bad inning.  Whatever.  Chalk it up as a bad day and go back to work."  It seems like Wells wasn't even being seriously considered in Spring Training for a position in the starting rotation, since he didn't get a chance to start in Arizona.  I think it's mostly a matter of too many starting pitchers and there not being enough room on the 25-man roster. 

Tomorrow the Cubs will open a six-game homestand and play the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field at 1:20pm CT.  Paul Maholm will start for the Cubs and Chad Billingsley will start for the Dodgers.

Tonight's Cubs vs. Reds game cancelled until a later date

After a two-hour and 13-minute rain delay, tonight's Cubs game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park was cancelled and will be played on a later date.  Jeff Samardzija, who was scheduled to pitch tonight, will start in tomorrow's game at 6:10pm CT.  Ryan Dempster will come off the disabled list and start for Thursday's game.

Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati was drenched in rain tonight (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Samardzija already had been given one extra day of rest after being pushed back in the Cubs' rotation.  "He's had plenty of rest," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said.

Paul Maholm, who was originally scheduled to start Wednesday, will now get extra time to rest and will start on Friday to open the Cubs' series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field.

The game postponement also gives the Cubs' bullpen a chance to recover.  Scott Maine has been sick, even though he was able to pitch on Monday.  Rafael Dolis was unavailable Tuesday but will be ready to go Wednesday, Sveum said.  Randy Wells will be available in the bullpen Wednesday, giving the Cubs eight available relievers, depending on how Maineis feeling.

Meanwhile, here's a fun photo from last night's Cubs-Phillies game:

Bryan LaHair is high-fived by Starlin Castro after hitting a home run to tie up the game on Monday against the Phillies (photo from Chicago Sun-Times)

Cubs lose series finale to the Phillies, 6-4; Kerry Wood and Ryan Dempster injury updates

The Cubs lost the series finale 6-4 to the Phillies and end up with a 2-2 split for the series.  Chris Volstad started for the Cubs but didn't get off to a good start when he gave up four runs in the first inning to put the Cubs in a 4-0 hole.  Volstad was replaced in the sixth inning with Scott Maine when the score was 4-1.

Chris Volstad didn't get off to a good start against Phillies in the series finale tonight (photo from cubs.com)

However, the Cubs came alive and scored three runs in the eighth inning to tie the game at 4-4 from Bryan LaHair's two-run homer, which was his fifth of the season.

But in the bottom of the eighth inning, reliever Scott Maine hit Juan Pierre with a pitch and then Rafael Dolis came into the game and gave up a two-out single to Jimmy Rollins and a two-run double to Placide Polanco, which gave the Phillies a 6-4 lead.  The Cubs couldn't recover after that and ended up losing the series finale.

Kerry Wood, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 14th with shoulder fatigue, threw a bullpen session today with 22 pitches, including six sliders.  Wood gave a thumbs up when asked how he was feeling and is expected to return to the roster this Thursday.  Cubs manager Dale Sveum said that he plans to ease Wood back into the setup role so he may pitch in the seventh inning upon his return. 

Cubs reliever Kerry Wood is scheduled to return to the roster on Thursday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Ryan Dempster is also on track to return to the roster and make the start for the Cubs on Thursday.  He threw a successful bullpen session today and said, "I feel good and ready to go." 

Cubs starter Ryan Dempster is also scheduled to return to the roster on Thursday (photo from cubs.com)

Since Wood and Dempster are both scheduled to return to the roster on Thursday, the Cubs will have to also shift two players off the 25-man toster.  Randy Wells, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa to take Dempster's spot in the rotation, also threw a bullpen session today and will be available to pitch out of the bullpen starting Tuesday.  Sveum said he will decide Thursday whether they will utilize Wells in the bullpen or have him go to Iowa to stay stretched out as a starter.

Cubs pitcher Randy Wells could either stay on the roster in the bullpen or go to Iowa to stay stretched out (photo from Chicago Tribune)

The Cubs will travel to Cincinnati tomorrow to play the first of a three-game series against the Reds at 6:10pm CT.  Jeff Samardzija will get the start for the Cubs and try for his third win of the season.

Matt Garza was outstanding as he led the Cubs to a 5-1 win against the Phillies

Matt Garza pitched an outstanding game against the Philadelphia Phillies and led the Cubs to a 5-1 victory today.  Garza allowed only one hit and no runs while striking out ten batters and walking one during seven innings pitched, which ended up being his best outing so far this season.

Matt Garza had his best outing of the season today (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Joe Mather hit his first home run as a Cub today.  Manager Dale Sveum decided to give right fielder David DeJesus (who has started 18 of the Cubs' 21 games) the day off.  "It's a good opportunity to get [Jeff] Baker and [Joe] Mather some at bats," Sveum said, adding that Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick's numbers against right-handed hitters weren't overwhelming, and that the Cubs won't face a left-handed starter for awhile.  Tony Campana took DeJesus' leadoff spot in the lineup today.

Rafael Dolis pitched a perfect eighth inning, but Carlos Marmol came into the game in the ninth and gave Cub fans something to stress about when he loaded the bases on two walks and allowed an infield hit before walking Ty Wigginton to force in the Phillies' only run.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Phillies will play the final game of the 4-game series at 6:05pm CT.  Chris Volstad will start for the Cubs and is still looking for his first win this season.  Currently the Cubs lead the series, 2-1.

Bullpen spoils Garza's strong outing in Cubs' 7-4 loss to the Nationals

The Cubs lost to the Washington Nationals, 7-4 today at Wrigley Field in game 2 of their opening series. 

Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol each entered the game in relief of Matt Garza and were both booed off the mound during a five-run eighth inning that spoiled a strong start by Matt Garza.  They were also booed off the mound during Thursday's Opening Day game after blowing an excellent performance from Ryan Dempster.  Garza allowed two runs over six innings and left the game with a 4-2 lead.  Rookie Rafael Dolis threw a perfect seventh inning.  Then Wood and Marmol entered the game in the eighth inning.

Matt Garza's strong start was spoiled by Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol (photo from cubs.com)

Garza talked about Wood and Marmol and said, "They're going out there to try to help you win a ballgame, and some days you have it, and some days you don't, so you just help them and keep plugging away.  Those two guys, they're mentally tough. I have a great feeling they'll be all right."  Let's hope Garza is right!

Tomorrow, the Cubs will play the Nationals for the third game in the series against the Nationals at 1:20pm CST, where Jeff Samardzija will make his first start for the Cubs this season.  The game will be seen on WGN-TV or heard on WGN-Radio.