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.

Chris Volstad gets first win as a Cub and ends winless streak on a soggy Sunday at the Friendlly Confines

After a 2 hour and 23-minute rain delay plus another 30-minute delay, and a game that was called after eight innings, the Cubs ended up shutting out the Colorado Rockies 5-0 and also won the series. 

Chris Volstad started for the Cubs and finally earned his first win as a Cub, which also ended his 24-game winless streak that dated back to July of 2011 when he was on the Marlins.  Manager Dale Sveum said, "I know that's a huge monkey off his back.  The team was incredibly happy for him.  When the game got called, you could see the emotion from the players." 

Chris Volstad finally earned his first win as a Cub and ended his 24-game winless streak against the Rockies on Sunday (photo by Karen Burchell)

Volstad's teammates got a chance to prepare for his victory shower during the 30-minute delay after the eighth inning.  "It was fun," said Darwin Barney.  "He was real excited.  The thing about it, when you're an offensive position player and you have that game when your team wins and you contribute and have a couple knocks, you go home feeling pretty good about yourself.  He hasn't had one of those days in a while — a day where everything worked out.  They didn't get a cheap hit off him today, and the defense picked him up.  I was really happy for him.  He's been pitching really consistent of late and he's just been getting some bad luck here and there.  I think he liked that little shower we gave him."

Volstad allowed just three hits and no runs while striking out three batters and walking three over 6-2/3 innings pitched.  It also helped that Volstad received more than three runs of support today, since the Cubs had scored one or no runs in eight of his 12 starts before today.  As he exited the field in the sixth inning, he received a standing ovation from the crowd at Wrigley Field.

I was at today's game and can say it was definitely a long day, since we arrived when the gates opened and watched the Cubs take batting practice before it was cut short, and ended up staying until the game was called after eight innings (and over seven hours since we had arrived at Wrigley).  It was a bummer not being able to sing "Go Cubs Go", though.

Following are some photos I took at the game:

First base coach Dave McKay and second baseman Darwin Barney during batting practice (photo by Karen Burchell)

It was a soggy Sunday at the Friendly Confines (photo by Karen Burchell)

David DeJesus warms up after the two hour and 23-minute rain delay (photo by Karen Burchell)

Anthony Rizzo uses eyedrops before the rain-delayed game started on Sunday (photo by Karen Burchell)

Maybe Samardzija and Russell have been hanging out a little too much? (photo by Karen Burchell)

Chris Volstad received a standing ovation after he was pulled in the sixth inning (photo by Karen Burchell)

Rain delay, take two - the tarp is back on after 8 innings (photo by Karen Burchell)

Tomorrow the Cubs will start a four-game series against the Brewers at Wrigley Field starting at 7:05pm CT.  Justin Germano will start for the Cubs and try to earn his third win.

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. 

David DeJesus and Bryan LaHair come through with homers, but Cubs lose 3-2 to Brewers

The Cubs lost 3-2 Wednesday afternoon to the Milwaukee Brewers in the final game of the three-game series and end up being swept by the Brew Crew.  They have now lost four games in a row and this is the team's 18th loss in their past 22 games.  The team is now on pace to lose 100 games this season.

The game got off to a good start when David DeJesus hit a home run on the first pitch thrown to him which put the Cubs on the board right off the bat.  There was a little scare when DeJesus and Brett Jackson collided while both were diving to catch a line drive ball in the bottom of the first inning, but thankfully, neither player was hurt.

David DeJesus is congratulated by Luis Valbuena after leading off Wednesday's game against the Brewers with a home run (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Outfielders David DeJesus and Brett Jackson collided in the first inning against the Brewers (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Bryan LaHair also hit a solo home run in the seventh inning of Wednesday's game, which came 49 days after his last home run during a game against the Braves.  LaHair's playing time has been drastically reduced since getting moved to right field when Anthony Rizzo was called up and then moved to the bench once Brett Jackson came up.  Even though his future with the Cubs is uncertain, LaHair said, "I’m trying to show people every day what I can do.  I go out every day and I work hard to get back on track.  I’m just trying to do the best job I can.”  I can't help but feel for the guy!

Travis Wood started for the Cubs and allowed three runs on six hits while walking one batter and striking out six over seven innings pitched.  Wood pitched well for the most part, but was outpitched by Yovani Gallardo and ended up with his seventh straight loss.

Travis Wood started for the Cubs against the Brewers on Wednesday (photo from cubs.com)

Manager Dale Sveum addressed the team's recent record and youth of the team by saying, "It's a combination of a lot of things.  We're going down looking, we're swinging at pitches way out of the zone early, and then we get good pitches to hit and we take them.  What's going on right now mentally is strange from a hitting point.  We're aggressive when we shouldn't be, and we're passive when we should be aggressive.  We're super young right now.  That's part of the gig, and we knew it."

Sveum also said that the young players are almost afraid of making mistakes, which is what's hurting the team.  However, the team isn't hanging their heads, which is good.

Tomorrow the Cubs have an off day before starting a 10-game homestand at Wrigley Field, beginning on Friday against the Colorado Rockies at 1:20pm CT.  Jeff Samardzija will start for the Cubs and try to earn his ninth win of the season and end the team's losing streak.