ChicagoCubsOnline.com

Three Out of Four Ain't Bad - Cubs 8 Brewers 2

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:29:23 PDT

Game Seventy-Nine - Cubs 8 Brewers 2
WP - Ted Lilly (8-6) LP - Mike Burns (1-2) Save - None

The Cubs took care of business against the Brewers on Sunday and won their second series in a row. Ted Lilly proved why he will be representing the Cubs in the Mid Summer Classic next week in St. Louis. The Cubs improved to 11-6 in Lilly's outings as he dominated the Brewers with another quality start. Lilly earned his first victory since June 9 against the Astros ... the 99th win of Lilly's big league career.

While Lilly was busy mowing down the Brewers offense, the Cubs offense performed to expectations against former Cub farmhand Mike Burns. Derrek Lee pounded his 15th homer of the year, a two-run shot in the first that gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead. Jake Fox added his fourth home run in his last 11 games, a two-run bomb in the fifth that ended up on Waveland. Fox finished the afternoon 2-for-4 with a double (his sixth), a home run (his fourth), two runs scored and two RBI.

Kosuke Fukudome jump-started the Cubs offense with a triple to start the game on the first pitch from Mike Burns. Fukudome put together one of his better games in the last few weeks, offensively. Fukudome was 2-for-4 with a double, a sacrifice fly, two runs scored and a RBI. Fukudome and Ryan Theriot were a combined 4-for-9 with three runs scored and a RBI ... the top of the Cubs lineup really set the stage.

Milton Bradley continued to show improvement on Sunday. While his 1-for-3 effort with a walk and a run scored does not jump off the page, it was his leadoff walk in the fourth that led to the two-run inning. The Cubs were up by a slim one-run margin (2-1) before Bradley walked, advanced to third on Jake Fox's double and scored on Geovany Soto's sacrifice fly.

The Cubs hit with runners in scoring position on Sunday and even manufactured a run in the sixth. They finished the afternoon 5-for-9 with two sacrifice flies ... Mike Fontenot delivered a huge two-out RBI single to center that capped the scoring in the fourth inning.

Lou Piniella's crew did what they had to this weekend against the Brewers. A split in the four-game series would not have helped and they knew winning the series was key to a strong finish to the first half. The Cubs won for the eighth time out of ten games at Wrigley ... and after hitting a season-low last Sunday on the South Side, finished the week with a 5-2 record.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Brewers - 07/05/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 09:00:00 PDT

Game Seventy-Nine: Cubs (39-39) vs. Brewers (43-38)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet/TBS - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Ted Lilly (7-6, 3.35/1.13) vs. Mike Burns (1-1, 3.31/1.29)

Despite being blown out on Saturday, the Cubs have a chance to post a series win with a victory this afternoon. After today the Cubs will not face the Brewers again this season until September 14 (the Cubs play a four-game series at Wrigley and a three game series in Miller Park in the final three weeks of the season) and a win would go a long way toward a successful end to a disappointing first half.

Aramis Ramirez was 1-for-2 with a RBI in Saturday's rehab assignment with the Peoria Chiefs. Both Ramirez and Reed Johnson (a walk in his only plate appearance Saturday) are expected to be activated on Monday from the DL ... with Angel Guzman re-joining the Cubs on Tuesday. The Cubs could go with an 11-man pitching staff for the remainder of the first half with Carlos Zambrano pitching out of the pen next weekend against the Cardinals (Zambrano is slated to start the series finale against the Braves on Wednesday). With 11 pitchers, the Cubs could keep an extra position player.

According to the Daily Herald, Jeff Baker and Andres Blanco "are going to stay" while Mike Fontenot, Jake Fox, Micah Hoffpauir and Sam Fuld are the candidates to be sent down to Triple-A. It appears Kevin Hart and/or Jeff Samardzija will return to Iowa when Angel Guzman is activated from the DL ... the better move might be to place Alfonso Soriano on the DL for the remainder of the first half.

With the Cubs facing the Braves (2-for-11 in two games with a home run) and the Cardinals (7-for-36 in nine games with two double, a home run, four walks and 16 strikeouts) before the break, teams that Soriano has struggled against this season, it might give him time to rest and prepare for the second half instead of continuing to struggle at the plate. Alfonso Soriano is not the Cubs' only problem but they must figure out a way to get him right for the second half.

While the offense must do their job today against a former teammate in Mike Burns, it all starts with Ted Lilly ... and one win at a time.

One Team's Waiver is Another Team's Treasure - Cubs 2 Brewers 11

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:36:42 PDT

Game Seventy-Eight - Cubs 2 Brewers 11
WP - Braden Looper (7-4) LP - Rich Harden (5-5) Save - None

The Cubs lost for the first time at Wrigley since dropping the opening game of the White Sox series back on June 17. The Cubs suffered a rare blowout at home behind another horrible outing at the Friendly Confines by Rich Harden. Harden barely made it out of the first inning after allowing five runs ... a two-run single by Casey McGehee and a three-run homer by Mike Cameron. The Brewers hit Harden incredibly hard in his two-plus innings. Harden allowed seven runs on eight hits with a walk and a strikeout on 52 pitches.

Wrigley Field has definitely been The Un-Friendly Confines for Rich Harden this season. Harden has not posted a win at home since May 12 and is 2-4 in eight starts with a 7.65 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP (33 runs, 32 earned, on 43 hits with 20 walks and 42 strikeouts). Rich Harden has allowed 15 home runs this season in 13 starts ... nine at Wrigley Field.

Casey McGehee proved to be the difference early on in the game ... and was only a double short of the cycle. McGehee, who the Cubs put on waivers in the off-season, drove in five of the Brewers 11 runs and finished the afternoon 4-for-5 with a two-run homer, a triple, three runs scored and five RBI. While the Cubs did not let Prince Fielder beat them, Casey McGehee sure stuck it to his old organization.

The Cubs had chances to make a game of it in the beginning. They loaded the bases twice against Braden Looper but came away empty both times. The Cubs looked bad again at the plate and left five of the seven runners on base in the first two innings. The Cubs finished the afternoon 2-for-4 with runners in scoring position ... and hit into three inning ending double plays. To say the 4th of July on the North Side was not pretty would be an understatement.

The Cubs lone highlight came courtesy of Milton Bradley in the third inning. After a Derrek Lee single, Bradley hit his first home run since May 25 ... a two-run shot into the bleachers in right center.

The Cubs did not manage another hit after Bradley's home run in the third until a two-out single by Mike Fontenot in the ninth.

Alfonso Soriano finished the afternoon 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and three left on base out of the sixth spot in Lou Piniella's lineup.

In a game that was over before the Cubs had a chance to swing the bats, Lou Piniella's crew dropped to .500 once again at 39-39 on the year.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Brewers - 07/04/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:30:00 PDT

Game Seventy-Eight: Cubs (39-38) vs. Brewers (42-38)
Game Time - 12:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 175
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Rich Harden (5-4, 4.57/1.40) vs. Braden Looper (6-4, 4.90/1.40)

Happy 4th of July from the CCO!

Weather permitting ... Will Soriano or Fuld his lead off for the Chicago Cubs this afternoon? Following the Cubs walk-off win on Friday, Lou Piniella said the Cubs would be making adjustments to the lineup. Dave Kaplan reported his sources indicated Soriano would be in the lineup, hitting sixth against the Brewers today ... possibly with Sam Fuld in the top spot in either center or right field. Milton Bradley has only one hit in eight-career at bats against Braden Looper (a home run) while Kosuke Fukudome is 5-for-16 with a double and a home run ... it might be a good time to give Bradley a day off.

The Cubs enter play today two and a half games back of the Cardinals, third place in a very tight NL Central ... five teams are within four games of the top spot.

The Cubs are on the verge of several roster moves. Aramis Ramirez and Reed Johnson are expected to be activated on Monday. The Cubs will have to send down two players and the speculation is Mike Fontenot could be one of those players. Kevin Hart appears to be the odd man out when Angel Guzman returns. Andres Blanco has impressed the Cubs with his glove and his bat. Blanco gives the team a legitimate backup at short and has shown more offense than Fontenot of late. Paul Sullivan mentioned during Sports Central Friday night that either Micah Hoffpauir or Sam Fuld could be sent down when Ramirez is activated.

The offense must not help out Braden Looper this afternoon ... but it all starts with Rich Harden and one win at a time.

The Win Goes Z Cubs Way - Cubs 2 Brewers 1

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:21:14 PDT

Game Seventy-Seven - Cubs 2 Brewers 1 - 10 innings
WP - Kevin Gregg (3-2) LP - Mark DiFelice (4-1) Save - None

What a ballgame and the Cubs might have gotten a gift on the final call by homeplate umpire Bill Welke.

Ryan Theriot started the tenth with a one-out single off Craig Counsell's glove into right field. On a 1-2 pitch to Derrek Lee, Mark DiFelice uncorked a wild pitch that advanced Theriot to second. Lee flied out to right and his productive out advanced Theriot to third with two outs. Ken Macha then intentionally walked Milton Bradley that put runners on first and third with two outs.

Lou Piniella went to his bench for Geovany Soto. The Brewers decided not to hold Bradley on at first and Bradley took second on the first pitch of Soto's at bat. DiFelice then pitched around Soto before issuing an intentional walk to load the bases.

Jake Fox stepped to the plate with the game on the line. Fox was overly aggressive on DiFelice's first pitch and swung right over the top of the ball. Fox then changed his approach, settled down and looked at three straight out of the strike zone. After getting ahead in the count 3-1, Fox fouled off the next four pitches from DiFelice before looking at the ninth pitch of the at bat. Fox walked and Theriot jogged in from third ... Cubs Win!

The Cubs offense struggled all afternoon against Jeff Suppan. They managed only one run on four hits in seven innings. Carlos Zambrano drove in the Cubs' lone run against Suppan, a single to center in the fifth. The Cubs did not make him work. Suppan walked two batters and hit two others but threw only 90 pitches (48 for strikes) in seven innings. The Cubs finished 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on base.

In his return to the top spot in Lou Piniella's lineup, Alfonso Soriano was a weak 0-for-5 and left three on base.

Carlos Zambrano pitched his way in and out of jams all afternoon. While Zambrano did not have his best stuff, he was effective and allowed one run in seven innings of work. The only run Zambrano surrendered was on a bases loaded walk to Corey Hart in the fourth. The Brewers, like the Cubs, were 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on base.

Aaron Heilman pitched a tremendous eighth inning. Heilman retired all three batters he faced on 16 pitches. Kevin Gregg picked up his third win of the year after his third two-inning outing of the season.

Gregg did an excellent job of pitching around Milton Bradley's mistake in the ninth. Jason Kendall hit a routine fly to right with two outs in the ninth. Bradley lost the ball in the sun and it appeared to hit off his head. Kendall hustled to second with the go ahead run. Gregg then hit Craig Counsell and put runners on first and second ahead of Ryan Braun.

Kevin Gregg jammed Braun on a 2-2 pitch and one of the best sluggers in the game popped out to Ryan Theriot to end the inning. Gregg sat the Brewers down in order in the tenth.

The Cubs improved to a game over .500 on the season with another dramatic walk-off win at Wrigley ... the Cubs sixth victory in a row at home.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Brewers - 07/03/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:15:00 PDT

Game Seventy-Seven: Cubs (38-38) vs. Brewers (42-37)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Carlos Zambrano (4-3, 3.69/1.33) vs. Jeff Suppan (5-6, 4.86/1.66)

Will Soriano or Fuld hit leadoff for the Chicago Cubs this afternoon? Lou Piniella said Alfonso Soriano would be back in the leadoff spot before Thursday night's game but sounded less sure following another solid performance from Sam Fuld. The Cubs must have a healthy Alfonso Soriano in order to win on a regular basis in the second half. With Soriano not producing it might be better for him to hit lower in the order for a while and ride out the spark that Fuld has given the team.

This afternoon might be a good time to slide Fuld over to center and put Kosuke Fukudome in right. Milton Bradley is not hitting from the left side and is just 1-for-10 lifetime against Jeff Suppan. Right now it is all about winning ballgames ... entering play today there are five teams in the central within three games of first place.

Phil Rogers sparked a lot of controversy following Carlos Zambrano's last start against the White Sox. When Big Z heard about the online poll, his response was "fine, trade me to Boston". For the Cubs to turn their season around the good Carlos Zambrano must continue to take the mound ... and not the bad Carlos that was on full display on the South Side last Sunday.

The Cubs offense must keep it up this afternoon against Jeff Suppan ... but it all starts with Carlos Zambrano and one win at a time.

Cotts Out for Season after Tommy John Surgery

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:15:00 PDT

According to a report from the Tribune, Neal Cotts had season-ending Tommy John Surgery on Thursday. Dr. Timothy Kremcheck performed the operation in Cincinnati.

Get Out the Tape Measure ... Cubs Win! - Cubs 9 Brewers 5

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:15:36 PDT

Game Seventy-Six - Cubs 9 Brewers 5
WP - Ryan Dempster (5-5) LP - Seth McClung (3-2) Save - None

The Cubs won their fifth game in a row at Wrigley Field behind not one, not two but four home runs. All nine of the Cubs runs came via the longball with Derrek Lee driving in seven of the Cubs' nine tallies ... a new career high. Lee hit a three-run shot in the first and added his second grand slam of the year in the fourth. Seven of Derrek Lee's fourteen home runs this season has come in the last 15 games.

Ryan Dempster picked up his first win since May 30 with another quality start. Dempster allowed four runs, three earned, on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. Dempster's command was much better throughout the night and he walked only two batters. Dempster tied a season-high set on May 9 in Milwaukee with nine strikeouts.

Sam Fuld subbed for Alfonso Soriano once again and set the tone for the night with a nine-pitch at bat in the first inning that led to a walk. Fuld hit his second double in as many nights and reached base in three of his five trips to the plate (2-for-4 with a double and a walk) ... Fuld was on board for both of Derrek Lee's home runs.

Jake Fox hit his first home run at Wrigley, third of the season, with two outs in the first inning. Fox played another solid game defensively and added a walk in his four at bats. Geovany Soto led off the Cubs' five-run fourth inning with a solo shot down the line in left. Soto's eighth of the year gave the Cubs a 5-2 lead at the time. After showing little to no power in the first two months of the season, Soto has hit five home runs in his last 14 games.

Sean Marshall picked up the biggest out of the night in the seventh inning. After an error by Mike Fontenot allowed the Brewers to cut the Cubs lead to 9-4, Marshall struck out Prince Fielder with two on to end the inning. Aaron Heilman struggled with his command again and gave up a run on two hits in the eighth.

The nine runs on Thursday night were the most scored by the Cubs in a single game since an 11-run output on April 28 in Arizona.

The Cubs beat the Brewers at their own game on Thursday night and reached the .500 mark on the season once again ...

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Brewers - 07/02/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:15:00 PDT

Game Seventy-Six: Cubs (37-38) vs. Brewers (42-36)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet/MLB Network - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Ryan Dempster (4-5, 4.09/1.36) vs. Seth McClung (3-1, 3.55/1.47)

Updated 4:20pm C.T. - Cubs Acquired Jeff Baker from the Rockies on Thursday and designated Ryan Freel for Assignment

Seventy-six games into the 2009 season and the Brewers will play their first games of the year this weekend at Wrigley Field. The Cubs split the first six games of the season against the Brewers in Milwaukee with the last series taking place from May 8 - May 10 ... the weekend the Cubs lost Aramis Ramirez for two months.

The Cubs enter play tonight 3 1/2 games behind the Brewers, fourth place in the central ... 2 1/2 behind the Cardinals and just a half game behind the Reds.

The Cubs are a much different team at Wrigley (21-13, 16-25 on the road) and will play their final 11 games of the first half at home. Following the Brewers four-game set, the Braves are in for three and after a day off, the Cardinals invade Wrigley for four games in three days. Despite an underachieving first half, the Cubs are in the thick of the race but the next 11 games will have an impact on the remainder of the season.

Reports before and during Wednesday's game indicated Alfonso Soriano could be out of the starting lineup once again tonight. The Cubs need a healthy Alfonso Soriano in order to have a better second half of the season. Soriano is far from healthy right now and not producing at the plate. Lou Piniella must stick to his guns and give him the time he needs to get back on track.

The Brewers will be looking to return the favor from last July ... and for the Cubs, it all starts with Ryan Dempster.

From the Wire....Cubs Acquire Jeff Baker - Freel DFA'd

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:11:09 PDT

According to a report from Yahoo Sports, the Cubs have acquired Jeff Baker from the Colorado Rockies.

Updated - 11:14am C.T. - Bruce Levine confirms the deal with the Cubs sending Class-A pitcher Alberto Alburquerque to the Rockies for Jeff Baker. Baker is expected to be in uniform for the Cubs on Thursday night. Another roster move will have to be made before game time.

Updated - 12:20pm C.T. - Ryan Freel Designated for Assignment

According to an official release from the team, the Cubs DFA'd Ryan Freel on Thursday in order to make room for Jeff Baker on the active roster. The Cubs have ten days to trade Freel or outright release him.

A Little Fire, A Little Fuld and a Whole Lotta Wells - Cubs 4 Pirates 1

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:12:45 PDT

Game Seventy-Five - Cubs 4 Pirates 1
WP - Randy Wells (3-3) LP - Virgil Vasquez (1-1) Save - Kevin Gregg (14)

The Cubs rebounded from a horrible game on Tuesday night behind another tremendous effort by Randy Wells ... and a refreshing performance by Sam Fuld. Lou Piniella's crew picked up their first series win on the road since taking two of three from the Reds at the beginning of June (June 5 - June 7).

The real Lou Piniella finally showed up in the sixth inning. Piniella was ejected for the first time this season for arguing a close play at first base. With runners on first and second with two outs, Randy Wells hit a bouncer back to Virgil Vasquez. The Pirates' pitcher bobbled the ball then threw a strike to Adam LaRoche at first. Wells appeared to beat the throw but was called out by first base umpire Chad Fairchild.

Lou Piniella ran out from the dugout, got into the umpires face, took off his cap and held it momentarily before slamming it to the ground. Fairchild ejected Piniella immediately and the Cubs' manager continued to argue his case. The fire that had been missing from Piniella was on display for the first time since July of last season.

Sam Fuld started the game in left for Alfonso Soriano and made an impact on the game's first pitch. Fuld ripped a double to right, his first big league hit, to start the game and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Theriot. Derrek Lee followed with his 12th home run of the year ro right center and gave Randy Wells all the runs he would need.

Not only did Sam Fuld reach base in three of his five trips to the plate (2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a walk), he kept the tying run from scoring in the fifth inning. Up by a score of 2-1 and Pirates on first and second with two outs, Freddy Sanchez lined a single to left. Sam Fuld put himself into perfect position and threw a one-hop strike to Geovany Soto to cut down Jack Wilson at the plate, his second career outfield assist.

Fuld many several fine catches in left and took routes to balls that kept the Pirates from taking extra bases on singles to left center ... and to complete the night, Fuld caught the game's last three outs.

Randy Wells put together another quality start (eighth in ten games) and won his third game in a row. Wells completed seven strong innings for the fifth time in 10 starts and surrendered only one run on six hits in seven innings ... with a walk and four strikeouts on 97 pitches, 66 for strikes. Wells continued to keep the ball down and 12 of the 16 outs on balls put in play were on the ground.

Kosuke Fukudome turned in a 2-for-4 performance that included a double and his first home run since May 26. Fukudome's solo shot that just cleared the wall in the sixth gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead.

The Cubs defense made several highlight reel plays on Wednesday night behind Randy Wells. Andres Blanco continued to prove his worth in the field and Kosuke Fukudome added a fine diving catch in center ... and while it might not be textbook plays, Jake Fox continued to be more than serviceable at third base.

The Cubs finished their 10-game, four city road trip with a disappointing 3-7 record but have shown signs they could be more than just a .500 team ...

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Pirates - 07/01/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:15:00 PDT

Game Seventy-Five: Cubs (36-38) vs. Pirates (36-41)
Game Time - 6:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet Plus - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - PNC Park, Pittsburgh

Randy Wells (2-3, 2.57/1.09) vs. Virgil Vasquez (1-0, 3.00/1.00)

June is over and hopefully the Cubs will be able to turn on the offense with the flip of the calendar. Lou Piniella's crew enters play tonight in fourth place in the central, 4 1/2 back of the Brewers, and just a game and a half ahead of the last place Pirates. The Cubs need a win in the worst way but more importantly they need to start playing more consistently and quit trying to win 10 games in one night.

The Cubs difficult 10-game road trip that began with the makeup in Atlanta on June 22 concludes tonight ... the Cubs have won only twice in the first nine games.

After tonight the Cubs fly home for a huge four-game series against the Brewers ... and they must not overlook the Battling Bucs. The Cubs have won three of the first five contests against the Pirates this season and while many think the Pirates are mailing in the 2009 season, someone forgot to tell them that on Tuesday night.

The Cubs will start to get a little healthier over the next few days. Aramis Ramirez, Reed Johnson and Angel Guzman are expected back ... and if the Cubs can pull off a few wins in the meantime their return might not be for not.

While the offense must do their job against Virgil Vasquez ... it all starts with Randy Wells and one win at a time.

Ramirez Expected Back on Monday

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:15:00 PDT

According to a report from the Tribune, Aramis Ramirez is expected to back in the Cubs lineup on Monday against the Atlanta Braves. Ramirez has been out since May 8 (placed on 15-day DL on May 9)and the Cubs are 20-24 with him on the DL.

And the Runs Don't Keep Comin' - Cubs 0 Pirates 3

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:35:57 PDT

Game Seventy-Four - Cubs 0 Pirates 3
WP - Ross Ohlendorf (7-6) LP - Ted Lilly (7-6) Save - Matt Capps (18)

An extremely bad month for the Chicago Cubs came to a fitting end on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh. The Cubs were shutout for the eighth time this season and the third time on the current 10-game road trip (second time in two games) that concludes Wednesday with the finale against the Bucs. A day after putting together a solid win against Zach Duke, the Cubs reverted to the bad habits that led to an 11-14 record in June.

Ted Lilly didn't pitch that badly and for the third time was on the wrong end of a shutout. Half of Lilly's six losses this season have come in games when the Cubs did not score a single run. Lilly put together a quality start but his wild pitch and error led to the Pirates first run.

Lilly gave up three runs, two earned, on eight hits in seven innings with two walks and seven strikeouts. Freddy Sanchez continued killing Cubs' pitching this season. Sanchez recorded three of the Pirates eight hits off Lilly, drove in two and scored the other. The final score could have read: Cubs 0 - Freddy Sanchez 3

Lou Piniella's crew made Ross Ohlendorf look very good in his first career start against the Cubs. The offense managed only four hits and Ohlendorf struck out eight ... a new season high. The Cubs did not make him work. He threw 93 pitches in seven innings and did not walk a single batter.

The Cubs had a chance in the eighth to make a game of it. After a single by Ryan Theriot and an infield single by Milton Bradley, with a little help from an error by Jack Wilson, the Cubs had runners on second and third with no outs ... with the top of the lineup due up.

John Grabow struck out Alfonso Soriano swinging on four pitches. Kosuke Fukudome struck out looking on three pitches and Derrek Lee grounded out to second to end the inning. The Pirates were conceding the run and the Cubs could not put the bat on the ball.

As with a .500 team as soon as it appears they are taking a step forward, the show up in Pittsburgh and lay an egg.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Pirates - 06/30/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:45:00 PDT

Game Seventy-Four: Cubs (36-37) vs. Pirates (35-41)
Game Time - 6:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet Plus - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - PNC Park, Pittsburgh

Ted Lilly (7-5, 3.41/1.11) vs. Ross Ohlendorf (6-6, 4.75/1.29)

Updated - 4:00pm C.T. - Jeff Samardzija Recalled - Jose Ascanio Optioned

Can the Cubs make it two in a row on the road? In order to do so they will need a bounce-back performance from Ted Lilly ... as well as production from Kosuke Fukudome and Sam Fuld.

Milton Bradley is expected to get the next two days off against Ross Ohlendorf and Virgil Vasquez (both right-handers). Piniella wants Bradley to work with Von Joshua on his left-handed hitting. Kosuke Fukudome will play right and Sam Fuld is expected to start in center.

It might be a good time to get Alfonso Soriano a breathier as well. Soriano is still struggling and Micah Hoffpauir needs the playing time. With the speedy Fuld in center, he would help cover some ground and Ohlendorf struggles against lefties.

A quick show reminder...The CCO Radio will air live tonight at 7:00pm C.T. during the Cubs-Pirates game on Blog Talk Radio. To listen to the 60-minute call-in show live, click on this link and go to Blog Talk Radio. The podcast of the show will be available around 9:00pm C.T. and can be accessed through the player on the right side of the CCO or through Blog Talk Radio.

A variety of topics will be covered and the call-in number to discuss the Cubs with the CCO live is 347-237-4020.

From the history books ... Today marks the 100th Anniversary of the first Cubs-Pirates game at Forbes Field.

While the offense must build on Monday night's performance, all it takes is one win at a time ... and tonight it starts with Ted Lilly.

From the Wire... Samardzija Recalled

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:52:59 PDT

According to a report from the Sun-Times, the Cubs have recalled Jeff Samardzija from Triple-A Iowa and optioned Jose Ascanio back to Triple-A in order to make room on the active roster.

Ramirez to Begin Rehab Assignment Thursday?

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:15:00 PDT

According to reports during Monday night's game, Aramis Ramirez could begin a rehab assignment as soon as Thursday. Ramirez is with the team in Pittsburgh and will continue to take batting practice throughout the series. If all goes as planned, Ramirez will go to one of the Cubs' minor league teams on Thursday while his teammates return to Chicago for a big four-game series against the Brewers.

Where Have You Been Rich Harden? - Cubs 3 Pirates 1

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:27:14 PDT

Game Seventy-Three - Cubs 3 Pirates 1
WP - Rich Harden (5-4) LP - Zach Duke (8-6) Save - Kevin Gregg (13)

The Cubs won their first game of the year in the Steel City behind Rich Harden's best outing of the season. Harden gave up nine hits, all from the fourth inning on, but struck out nine with only one walk ... and one earned run. Harden struck out the side twice and pitched out of jams in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

Carlos Marmol, circa 2008, showed up in the eighth and was dominant against the heart of the Pirates order. Marmol retired all three hitters on eight pitches, seven for strikes, with a ground out and two fly ball outs. Kevin Gregg sat down the Pirates in order in the ninth despite running the count full on both Jack Wilson and Eric Hinske.

Marmol and Gregg picked up where Harden left off and really challenged the hitters.

Andres Blanco drove in the game's first run with a two-out single in the second inning. Jake Fox (2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored) singled, advanced to second on a single by Geovany Soto and scored on Blanco's liner to center.

Ryan Theriot hit his seventh home run of the season in the third off Zach Duke. Theriot's solo shot to left gave the Cubs a two-run lead ... and Rich Harden a little cushion. Milton Bradley, hitting out of the sixth spot in Lou Piniella's lineup, drove in the Cubs third run in the fourth with a double to left center. One of Bradley's hardest hit balls of the year split the Pirates outfielders and it rolled all the way to the wall. Geovany Soto (1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored) made it all the way home from first.

After a weekend full of controversy, Milton Bradley had four of his better at bats of the year Monday night in Pittsburgh. He finished the game 2-for-4 with a RBI (his first since June 12 and third of the month) and hit the ball hard all night. Adam LaRoche took away a single from Bradley in the eighth that would have been his third hit of the game.

For as efficient as the offense was against Zach Duke, Monday night was all about Rich Harden ... and getting a win.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Pirates - 06/29/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:45:00 PDT

Game Seventy-Three: Cubs (35-37) vs. Pirates (35-40)
Game Time - 6:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WCIU - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - PNC Park, Pittsburgh

Rich Harden (4-4, 4.95/1.40) vs. Zach Duke (8-5, 3.09/1.19)

The Cubs difficult 10-game road trip comes to an end on Wednesday night. After dropping six of their first seven, Lou Piniella's crew must put together a good series in Pittsburgh. The Cubs enter play today in fourth place in the Central but with the same amount of wins as the Pirates. The Cubs hit a low mark for the year at two games under .500 after they did not show up to the South Side on Sunday ... and if they are not careful could limp home Wednesday night in last place in the division.

The Cubs will face a very young and improving Pirates team that always plays their better games of the season against the Cubs. The Pirates are 21-14 at PNC Park this season (Cubs are 21-13 at Wrigley) and the Cubs are a pathetic 14-24 on the road. The Pirates won four straight before Sunday's loss to the Royals and are playing with much more confidence than the Cubs right now. This is not the same Pirates team the Cubs have faced in recent years and no one on the Cubs should take this series for granted.

Angel Guzman will have one more bullpen session before going on a rehab assignment later in the week with the Peoria Chiefs. Guzman's absence has created a huge hole in the bullpen.

Jake Fox is expected to start at third tonight with the other slots filled by the usual suspects. It is past time for this roster to start playing as a team and start winning on a consistent basis. Just one win at a time is all it takes ... and tonight it starts with Rich Harden.

From the Wire...Aaron Miles to the DL

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:04:29 PDT

According to a report from ESPN in Chicago, the Cubs are expected to place Aaron Miles on the disabled list Monday with a hyperextended elbow.

The report mentioned the Cubs would recall either Bobby Scales or possibly Sam Fuld to take his place on the active roster. The move is expected to be made official before Monday's game against the Pirates.

Updated - 6/28/09 - 1:25pm C.T. - Sam Fuld Recalled from Triple-A Iowa according to the Tribune

Z New Season Low for the Cubs - Cubs 0 White 6

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:58:00 PDT

Game Seventy-Two - Cubs 0 White Sox 6
WP - John Danks (6-6) LP - Carlos Zambrano (4-3) Save - None

For all of the Cubs' problems this year they had yet to fall two games under the .500 mark ... until Sunday. The White Sox embarrassed the Cubs on the South Side and won the weekend series two games to one. The Cubs were shutout for the seventh time this season and twice in the last week. The woeful Cubs offense managed only four hits, one for extra bases, but walked four times. They had chances early on against John Danks and once again could not come up with a clutch hit. Lou Piniella's crew finished the afternoon 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base.

It was a long day for the Cubs after arguably one of their worst efforts of the year. Carlos Zambrano did not step up and give his team any stability. After saying before the game that Interleague games bore him because he cannot bat, Zambrano allowed five runs, four earned, on nine hits with two walks, two hit batsmen and three strikeouts.

The White Sox pounded out 13 hits against Cubs' pitching and received gifts from the Cubs sub-par defense.

After showing signs on Friday and Saturday of starting to put together a little consistency offensively, the Cubs took several steps back on Sunday with a horrible day at the plate against an above average pitcher. Sunday got so bad that the eternal optimist, Ron Santo, started singing "Kumbaya" during the eighth inning and said, "You've either got to laugh or cry and I've been doing too much crying lately."

Following the game Lou Piniella said, "Not a good game for us at all. Not a good game. You don't mind getting beat like the way we did on Saturday but this was not good. We are going to have to sure up some areas."

The Cubs have lost 6 of 7 and finish the bulk of their Interleague schedule with a 6-8 record ... with a game remaining in September. Lou Piniella's crew will enter play Monday in fourth place in the division.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. White Sox - 06/28/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:00:00 PDT

Game Seventy-Two: Cubs (35-36) vs. White Sox (36-38)
Game Time - 1:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 180
Location - U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago

Carlos Zambrano (4-2, 3.48/1.27) vs. John Danks (5-6, 4.43/1.29)

Today concludes Interleague Play for all but two teams in the majors ... the Cubs and the White Sox. The make-up date from the rainout on June 16 has not been announced but the all signs are pointing to the game being played on September 3 at Wrigley (both teams have an open date on September 10 as well). The Cubs are 6-7 against the AL with two games remaining on their schedule ... and the game against the Sox in September could end up being a formality if the Cubs continue to struggle the way they have throughout the first three months of the season.

Saturday was not a good day for the Chicago Cubs. Not only did they lose to their crosstown rival in a game the bullpen could not hold, every team in the central took care of their business ... and then there's the little trade involving Mark DeRosa going to the Cardinals.

Aramis Ramirez Update: Aramis Ramirez took batting practice again on Saturday. He told the media that his shoulder was a little sore after Friday's session, but not more than could be expected. As mentioned last week, Ramirez said during the pre-game before the Cubs-Tigers game on Wednesday that once he returns he will require extra rest for the remainder of the season. Ramirez pointed out he likely would not be able to play day games following night games, depending on how he feels. The Cubs have missed his run production, and his glove, but the return of Aramis Ramirez will not be a cure-all for this team. The Cubs need help in the bullpen and a player similar to the one that is now with the Cubs' biggest rival. According to multiple reports Ramirez could begin a rehab assignment within a week, which if all goes well he could be back in time for the four-game series against the Cardinals at Wrigley (July 10 - July 12).

Mark Teahen was rumored to be on the Cubs' radar over the winter and reports are suggesting he is once again ... so stay tuned.

Today is just not the rubber game of the series against the Sox but an important game for the Chicago Cubs. Lou Piniella needs production from both Milton Bradley and Alfonso Soriano and to have someone in the pen step up and provide some much-needed stability late in games ... and it all starts with Carlos Zambrano.

From the Wire....DeRosa Traded to the Cardinals

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:12:56 PDT

According to multiple reports, the Indians traded Mark DeRosa to the Cardinals for pitcher Chris Perez and a PTBNL late Saturday night.

The Cubs were rumored as late as Saturday as being interested in re-acquiring DeRosa from the Indians ...

A See-Saw Loss on the South Side - Cubs 7 White 8

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:10:16 PDT

Game Seventy-One - Cubs 7 White Sox 8
WP - Bobby Jenks (2-2) LP - Sean Marshall (3-6) Save - None

For the eleventh time this year the Cubs lost a game in their opponents last at bat. The Cubs offense battled all day and took advantage of four mistakes, three errors, by the White Sox. Saturday afternoon was a back and forth battle. Each time one side took the lead, the other would fight back and either tie it up or take a one-run lead.

Saturday added a new chapter in the history of the Crosstown Classic. It was a good game that the Cubs bullpen could not hold.

As has been the story all season with Lou Piniella's crew, as soon as one facet of their game shows improvement another will take a step back. Saturday it was the pitching's turn and they could not keep the Sox over the bases ... and from scoring. The Sox pounded out 14 hits, scored eight times with five walks. Scott Podsednik started the game 4-for-4 with a double, a pair of singles and a game-tying home run in the fifth. Podsednik finished the game 4-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBI. The player that most had given up on tied a career-high with four hits.

Gordon Beckham was the difference late in the game. Carlos Marmol took the mound in the eighth with a one-run lead and jammed Beckham on a 1-2 pitch. Beckham blooped a single over Ryan Freel into left field. DeWayne Wise sacrificed him to second but Marmol retired Scott Podsednik on a fly out to center. Marmol got ahead of Alexei Ramirez, 0-2, before he reached out and pulled a single into left on a pitch down and out of the strike zone. Beckham scored and tied the game at seven.

Sean Marshall retired Jim Thome to start the ninth on a fly out to left. Paul Konerko then singled to left and was replaced at first by Josh Fields. A.J. Pierzynski hit a weak grounder to third and Ryan Freel threw to first for the sure out instead of trying to cut down the lead runner.

Jose Ascanio replaced Marshall and walked pinch-hitter Jayson Nix. Gordon Beckham then lined a single over Milton Bradley's head in right center for the game-winner.

The Cubs offense scored five of their first six runs with two outs and took advantage of two errors and a balk by Mark Buehrle, his first since 2006. Ryan Theriot drove in two of the Cubs' runs with a 2-for-4 afternoon and Alfonso Soriano drove in a pair with a double in the sixth. Soriano was 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored and two RBI ... one of Soriano's better games in two months. Derrek Lee added two RBI of his own and the top of the Cubs' lineup (1-4) finished 6-for-17 with a sacrifice fly, two walks, six RBI and three runs. Andres Blanco made another case for staying with the big league club ... 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a RBI.

The Cubs hit with runners on and in scoring position on Saturday. They finished the day 4-for-12 with RISP and left eight on base. Bradley struggled once again with a 1-for-5 performance and five left on base.

The Cubs cannot get over the hump right now. Nine of their last 10 games have been decided by two runs or less and with the one-run loss on Saturday they are 11-14 in one-run games. The Cubs dropped to a game under .500 on the season (35-36) ... and fell to 6-7 in Interleague Play.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. White Sox - 06/27/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:00:00 PDT

Game Seventy-One: Cubs (35-35) vs. White Sox (35-38)
Game Time - 3:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: FOX Saturday Baseball - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 177
Location - U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago

Ryan Dempster (4-5, 3.83/1.32) vs. Mark Buehrle (7-2, 3.17/1.13)

Can the Cubs win two in a row on the road? The last time the Cubs posted back-to-back wins away from the Friendly Confines was June 7 (Reds) and June 9 (Astros). The Cubs are a very disappointing 14-22 on the road this season and one of their better wins outside of Wrigley on Friday was ignored due to the soap opera that is Milton Bradley.

Lou Piniella said Bradley would be in today's lineup in his post-game press conference. Piniella said he would discuss what happened on Friday afternoon in more detail on Saturday ... and Jim Hendry said he would address the situation at that time as well. The Cubs have a huge problem on their hands and one that must be addressed soon.

Milton Bradley told the Tribune, "I've always excelled at playing baseball, and to come here and suck like I have, it's just not a good feeling. And there's really not one guy who I can sit and talk to. I've been on teams where I have guys I know, or somebody I can just vent to."

When asked about Derrek Lee, Bradley responded with, "We just don't have that bond. 'D-Lee' is cool. He's quiet. But things change. I had a good rapport with [fired hitting coach Gerald Perry]. I trusted Gerald and I could talk to him, and he's gone. I think I clicked with [ex-Cub outfielder Joey] Gathright, and he's gone. So you just kind of feel like you're on an island, and trying to stay afloat."

According to the Tribune, "Bradley said the Cubs are a 'good group of guys,' but he hasn't formed any real relationships yet. 'The teammates, they're there and they say all the right things, But it's just [small talk]."

Before he was asked to leave the park by his manager in the sixth inning. Piniella stated he had grown tired of Milton's occurrences. Piniella said, "Look, I'm not happy that this thing happened, I'm really not. But at the same time, it was time." According to the Sun-Times, the other 24 players in the locker room appear to be on the same page with Piniella and tired of Bradley's outbursts.

Alfonso Soriano added, "That's my first time to see a manager fighting with a player; get mad with a player. Sometimes you can get mad, but not like that. It's something new for me every day. 'We are 25 players, and we have to be on the same page. If he is not 100 percent to help the team win, we don't need him. If he's 100 percent and he wants to play, he's more than welcome.''

According to the Sun-Times Piniella shouted at Bradley, "You're not a player! You're a piece of (blank)!" Bradley responded with, "I have too much respect for you to respond to that."

The Sun-Times also reported that Bradley's play is also wearing thin with his teammates. Some have pointed to the fact he takes walks on tight pitches when if he ball the ball in play he would drive in runs.

From the Sun-Times: "From the front office to the clubhouse, Cubs personnel sympathize with Bradley's frustration, and nobody blames him for struggling. But an apparent preoccupation with his individual issues over the team's efforts to shake a first-half malaise has worn on teammates, even down to things as simple as working close pitches for walks with runners on base when putting the ball in play with less than two outs might score a rare and needed run."

Milton Bradley also discussed the reception Mark DeRosa received last weekend ... and speaking of DeRosa, the Cubs and Indians discussed the former Cub last weekend according to the Sun-Times.

The Cubs must figure out a way to focus today and beat the White Sox. After Friday not only will the players have to deal with the hoopla of the 'Crosstown Classic' but each one of them will have to answer questions about Milton Bradley.

It's time to win a game ... and it all starts with Ryan Dempster.

Bradley Sent Home ... Cubs Snap Slide on South Side - Cubs 5 White 4

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:55:25 PDT

Game Seventy - Cubs 5 White Sox 4
WP - Randy Wells (2-3) LP - Jose Contreras (2-7) Save - Kevin Gregg (12)

There is never a dull moment for the Chicago Cubs. Friday afternoon on the South Side had it all. A two-run home run by Jake Fox, his second in as many days ... a three-run home run by Geovany Soto that proved to be the game winner ... Carlos Marmol's command issues that allowed the White Sox to cut the Cubs lead to one in the eighth ... a misplayed ball in left field by Alfonso Soriano and Andres Blanco ... an inning ending 3-2-3 double play with the bases loaded in the eighth and the Cubs up by just one run ... a controversial called third strike to end the game ... and Lou Piniella asking Milton Bradley to take off his uniform and go home in the middle of the sixth inning. And with all of that, the Cubs ended their four game losing streak behind an excellent start by Randy Wells. After not being able to post a win in his first seven starts, Wells won his second game in a row on Friday.

Randy Wells turned in another quality start and for the seventh time in nine starts he allowed two of fewer runs. Wells made only two mistakes ... a solo home run by Jermaine Dye in the first inning and a solo home run by Jim Thome in the fourth. Wells left after seven complete with a 5-2 lead. Wells allowed two runs on five hits with two walks, one intentional, and six strikeouts. Wells had struggles in only one other inning and pitched out of it. With two on and two outs with the scored tied at two in the sixth, Wells retired Paul Konerko on a groundout to short to end the inning.

Randy Wells tossed the all-important shutdown inning in the seventh after Geovany Soto gave him a lead.

All five runs by Lou Piniella's crew was scored on two swings of the bat. Jake Fox gave the Cubs a brief one-run lead with his second home run of the year, a two-run shot in the fourth. Fox launched the no-doubter over the left field wall on the first pitch from Jose Contreras.

Geovany Soto gave the Cubs the lead for good in the seventh. After Jake Fox's third hit of the game and an error by Paul Konerko that allowed Mike Fontenot to reach, Soto ripped a 0-1 pitch from Jose Contreras into the stands in left center ... the first time this season Contreras allowed two home runs in the same game.

Carlos Marmol's struggles continued on Friday afternoon. Marmol took the mound in the eighth with his team up by a score of 5-2. Marmol walked Gordon Beckham to start the inning before issuing a one-out walk to Alexei Ramirez. Jermaine Dye reached on a bloop single that was misplayed by Alfonso Soriano to load the bases.

Jim Thome drove in both of Marmol's walks with a double off of Derrek Lee's glove that trickled down the right field line. With first base open, Marmol intentionally walked Paul Konerko to re-load the bases before being replaced by Sean Marshall.

Marshall threw one-pitch to pinch hitter A.J. Pierzynski that resulted in an inning ending 3-2-3 double play.

Kevin Gregg made it interesting in the ninth with a two-out walk to Josh Fields but he struck out Scott Podsednik looking to end the game.

Friday afternoon on the South Side took a turn for the worse in the less-than-half-season-long soap opera of Milton Bradley. After flying out to left in the sixth, Milton Bradley threw his helmet, beat up a Gatorade machine and then had a heart-to-heart with Lou Piniella in the tunnel. Piniella asked Bradley to take off his uniform and to go home ... the Cubs took the lead the following inning.

Piniella said following the game that he was tired of the actions Bradley displayed again on Friday. Piniella said he would explain further on Saturday but that Bradley would be in the lineup.

The Cubs evened their record at 35-35 on the year with a nice win on the South Side ... their first at the Cell since 2007.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. White Sox - 06/26/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 PDT

Game Seventy: Cubs (34-35) vs. White Sox (35-37)
Game Time - 3:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet (Cubs) WGN TV (Sox) - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago

Randy Wells (1-3, 2.57/1.10) vs. Jose Contreras (2-6, 5.23/1.37)

The Cubs returned to Chicago on Thursday night 0-4 on their current 10-game road trip ... and the next three days will be spent on the South Side against the Sox. While it is the Cubs versus the Sox this weekend, it really does not matter who the Cubs play, they need to win a few games in a row.

With the last four losses, the Cubs are 13-21 on the road ... maybe playing in Chicago will help them win a few games outside of Wrigley. The Cubs have lost their last six road games and are just 3-11 on the road in one-run games.

Aramis Ramirez is scheduled to begin taking batting practice this afternoon. The Cubs offense is not the same without Aramis but they must not rush him back and risk further injury. Ramirez said on Wednesday that he would require extra rest for the remainder of the season in order to be able to finish out the year on the active roster. Jim Hendry must add a utility infielder that can produce runs ... and before it is too late.

The Cubs will be without Milton Bradley this afternoon. Lou Piniella reportedly benched Bradley due to the fact he is not hitting right-handed pitching. The player the Cubs added to help give them a bat from the left side that can produce runs against the leagues top right-handed pitchers is hitting .205/.345/.342 with a .687 OPS left handed ... but against southpaws hitting from the other side, .327/.400/.490 with a .890 OPS. Four of Bradley's five home runs have come off right-handers but the last time he went deep ... May 27.

Aaron Miles was scratched from the starting lineup on Thursday after he hyperextended his elbow in the batting cage. Miles is supposed to be examined today by team doctors and could be headed to the DL.

The Cubs must start showing improvement on the field beginning this afternoon ... and it all starts with Randy Wells.

Cubs Down on the Farm Report - 06/26/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:10:00 PDT

Josh Vitters and Starlin Castro were named to the roster for the upcoming XM Radio Futures Game during All-Star weekend in St. Louis on Thursday. The Futures game is a showcase of the best young talent in the minor leagues. Geovany Soto participated in 2007 and Welington Castillo was the Cubs' lone representative a year ago.

The Cubs made a notable roster move on Thursday. John Gaub was promoted to Triple-A Iowa and many think he could be with the big league club in the second half. The southpaw was 3-1 with four save in 26 games with the Smokies and posted a 2.83 ERA with 17 walks and 40 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings.

Rebel Ridling hit 12 home runs and won the Home Run Derby on Monday during festivities leading up to the Midwest League All-Star game. Ridling hit five longballs in the final round to take the title.

Due to the Cubs early game on Thursday against the Tigers, here is the latest from the farm on a Friday ...

The Epitome of Mediocrity - Cubs 5 Tigers 6

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:32:00 PDT

Game Sixty-Nine - Cubs 5 Tigers 6
WP - Armando Galarraga (4-7) LP - Ted Lilly (7-5) Save - Fernando Rodney (16)

The Chicago Cubs are the definition of a .500 ballclub right now. Could things improve? Yes. Could they get worse? Most definitely. This is the reason every year and every team should stand on their own ... and their accomplishments should be celebrated as well as their shortcomings criticized. Nothing in sports should ever be taken for granted or looked over and this is way may be going on with the Chicago Cubs.

Most picked the Cubs to run away with the division and looked at October as to when the season would actually start. Lou Piniella's crew has underachieved through the first 69 games. They have been consistently inconsistent from the season's first pitch.

On some days they might play a complete game, but those days have been very few and far between this season. The Cubs have shown the ability to run off three or four wins in a row and then show they can just as easily drop the same number.

After winning four in a row in dramatic fashion, the Cubs have now lost four in a row ... thanks to the three-game sweep at the hands of the Tigers. The Cubs could have easily won all three as they lost them. On Thursday afternoon, it was not the offense but a rare poor outing by Ted Lilly that was the difference.

Jake Fox came through with the Cubs first hit on the road trip with runners in scoring position that actually scored runs. Fox launched his first career big league home run off of Armando Galarraga with two on and two outs in the first inning. Fox handed Ted Lilly a 3-0 lead before he took the mound.

The Cubs offense tacked on a run in the fourth and led by a score of 4-2 but the Tigers scored all six of their runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings off Lilly.

Lilly served up two longballs that accounted for four of the six runs he allowed over six innings. Ramon Santiago hit his fifth home run of the season in the third. Maggilio Ordonez hit the would-be game winner off Lilly in the fourth ... a two-run shot that gave the Tigers a 5-4 lead.

Ted Lilly lost his first game since May 24 after giving up six runs on 10 hits in six innings with a walk and six strikeouts ... and on the flip side, Armando Galarraga won his first start since April 26.

Micah Hoffpauir made the game interesting in the ninth with his seventh home run of the season off Fernando Rodney ... Hoffpauir cut the Tigers lead in half. Kosuke Fukudome (2-for-4 with a double, a triple and a RBI) reached on a two out double with the tying run but Geovany Soto pinch hit for Koyie Hill and struck out to end the game.

Derrek Lee's 21-game hitting streak came to an end with a 0-for-4 day at the plate.

After a 1-for-29 with runners in scoring position to start the road trip, the Cubs finished the series in Detroit 2-for-29 with runners in scoring position ... and Jake Fox's home run was the only hit that produced runs.

The Cubs dropped to a game under .500 ... with a tough three days on the South Side ahead of them.

CCO Radio...Talkin' Cubs in the Middle of Interleague Play

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:00:00 PDT

After a 10-day hiatus, the CCO Radio returns on a rare Thursday night after the Cubs were swept in the Motor City ... and Soto's positive test was announced.

Want your voice and opinion to be heard? Call the CCO Radio tonight and discuss everything Cubs with the CCO.

A quick show reminder...The CCO Radio will air live tonight at 7:00pm C.T. on Blog Talk Radio. To listen to the 60-minute call-in show live, click on this link and go to Blog Talk Radio. The podcast of the show will be available around 9:00pm C.T. and can be accessed through the player on the right side of the CCO or through Blog Talk Radio.

Soto Tested Positive for Marijuana During WBC

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:10:10 PDT

According to a report from the Tribune, Geovany Soto tested positive for marijuana while playing for Team Puerto Rico during the WBC. The International Baseball Federation released the news on Thursday and Soto is expected to address the situation with the media.

Geovany Soto released a statement. He said he "was embarrassed" by his lapse of judgment. He said his behavior was inappropriate and said it was an isolated incident.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Tigers - 06/25/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:15:00 PDT

Game Sixty-Nine: Cubs (34-34) vs. Tigers (40-31)
Game Time - 12:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 176
Location - Comerica Park, Detroit

Ted Lilly (7-4, 3.04/1.06) vs. Armando Galarraga (3-7, 5.62/1.64)

Can the Cubs avoid going below the .500 mark today? This afternoon could be classified as a must win. The Cubs have had plenty of chances since leaving Chicago on Sunday to win a game, if not all three, but they find themselves 0-3 staring at a trip to the South Side on Friday.

Reed Johnson is expected to officially be placed on the 15-day DL before today's game. Johnson has not played since Saturday so the Cubs could backdate his DL stint to June 20. Ryan Freel, who has been on the DL longer than he was in a Cubs' uniform, is expected to be activated to take Johnson's spot on the active roster.

Look for Koyie Hill to be behind the plate this afternoon following Wednesday night's game. Also, with Milton Bradley taking a tumble in right field, it might be his turn to serve as the team's DH.

While the Cubs try to avoid being swept by the Tigers, it all starts with Ted Lilly ... but the offense must do more than just show up this afternoon.

Two On with No Outs ... and Not Enough Runs - Cubs 3 Tigers 5

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:09:35 PDT

Game Sixty-Eight - Cubs 3 Tigers 5
WP - Zach Miner (5-1, BS 2) LP - Rich Harden (4-4) Save - Fernando Rodney (15)

The Cubs cannot buy a hit with runners in scoring position. After a 0-for-6 shutout on Monday, a 0-for-8 performance on Tuesday the Cubs were 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position on Wednesday night ... 0-for-14 when it counted. The Cubs lone hit with a runner in scoring position was a single to left by Kosuke Fukudome that loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the sixth. Remove the one single that did not plate a run and the Cubs are a pathetic 0-for-28 with runners in scoring position in the last three games.

The Cubs had more than their fare share of chances. They loaded the bases in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings and managed a total of two runs. Mike Fontenot grounded into a force out in the sixth that tied the game at two and Jake Fox hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh that cut the Tigers lead in half. Lou Piniella's crew out hit the Tigers, 11-10 and walked seven times ... an unbelievable 13 runners left on base in a game lost by two runs on the road.

The Cubs fell back to .500 on the season at 34-34 ... and the main reason, they simply cannot hit with runners on base.

Wednesday night in Detroit highlighted all of the Cubs defencies this season: Poor baserunning, lack of clutch hitting and questionable defense ... plus a bullpen that cannot throw strikes late in the game. Both Aaron Heilman and Carlos Marmol issued walks with the bases loaded that forced in the Tigers' last two runs. As the old cliché goes, gotta make 'em earn it.

Derrek Lee had another good night at the plate. Lee extended his career-high hitting streak to 21 games with a single to left in the seventh. Lee finished his first game of the year in the DH role 1-for-2 with three walks. The Tigers did not give Lee much to hit ... five pitches in the fourth resulted in a walk, four straight in the fifth for his second walk and four straight out of the zone in the ninth for his third walk of the game. Until the rest of the offense starts to contribute, Lee will continue to be pitched around ... especially in close games.

Rich Harden was effective despite a lot of deep counts. Harden lasted just 5 1/3 innings and threw 109 pitches, 58 for strikes. Harden allowed four runs, two earned, on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Two of the Tigers' four hits were solo home runs by Miguel Cabrera and Gerald Laird. The last two runs off Harden were unearned due to an error by Geovany Soto that led to the Tigers' two-run sixth inning. Soto dropped a foul pop up off the bat of Marcus Thames. Harden ended up walking Thames two pitches later and he scored the eventual winning run after Aaron Heilman walked Curtis Granderson with the bases loaded.

While the Cubs' offense has been stuck in neutral since Aramis Ramirez went on the DL, the Cubs are a very different team on the road. At Wrigley they find ways to win on the road it seems like they find ways to lose.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Tigers - 06/24/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:30:00 PDT

Game Sixty-Eight: Cubs (34-33) vs. Tigers (39-31)
Game Time - 6:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 176
Location - Comerica Park, Detroit

Rich Harden (4-3, 5.27/1.41) vs. Rick Porcello (8-4, 3.54/1.30)

Updated - 5:29pm C.T. - Reed Johnson to be placed on 15-day DL - Ryan Freel to be activated

How will the Cubs respond to the ninth inning on Tuesday? Tonight will tell a lot about a Cubs' team that has yet to find their identity ... 67 games into the season. The Cubs have not played consistent baseball away from Wrigley and that must start tonight. The Cubs have already dropped the first two games of a difficult 10-game trip and it will not get any easier facing the 20-year old Rick Porcello.

Lou Piniella needs a good, long outing from Rich Harden tonight and for the offense to start producing crooked numbers on a regular basis ...

The Return of ... The Ramblings

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:30:00 PDT

Rambling without a clue about this Cubs team

It has been awhile since I have shared my inner-most thoughts and general stream of consciousness about the Cubs. So, here we go.

Z Motown Meltdown ... Gregg Blows Another One - Cubs 4 Tigers 5

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:45:44 PDT

Game Sixty-Seven - Cubs 4 Tigers 5
WP - Brandon Lyon (3-3) LP - Kevin Gregg (2-2, BS 3) Save - None

Leading up to the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs had played one of their better road games of the season. The Cubs' offense struggled again with runners in scoring position (0-for-8) but Micah Hoffpauir's two-out, two-run homer in the eighth gave the Cubs a 4-3 lead.

Carlos Marmol struck out three of the four batters he faced in the eighth with one of his better outings over the last few weeks. The Cubs were unable to tack on in the top of the ninth but Kevin Gregg took the mound with a one-run lead.

Kevin Gregg walked the leadoff hitter, Don Kelly, on the ninth pitch of the at bat. Gregg retired Brandon Inge on a pop out to shallow right and Jim Leyland went to his bench. Ryan Raburn pinch-hit for Josh Anderson and ripped a hanging breaking ball on a 1-0 pitch from Gregg into the Cubs' bullpen in left center.

The Cubs left the field as the Tigers jumped up and down around homeplate.

The Cubs once again wasted another strong outing by one of their starting pitchers. Carlos Zambrano notched another quality start and left in line to pickup his fifth win of the season. Zambrano made only one mistake all night. He served up a two-run homer to Brandon Inge, his 17th of the year, on a 2-1 pitch in the seventh that gave the Tigers a 3-2 lead.

Derrek Lee extended his career-high hitting streak to 20 games with a double in the sixth that setup the go ahead run. Milton Bradley walked ahead of Lee and scored on a sacrifice fly by Geovany Soto that broke a 1-1 tie.

Lee had another good night at the plate (2-for-3 with a double, a walk, a run scored and a RBI). Not only did he drive in the first run of the game, he set the stage for Micah Hoffpauir's home run in the eighth off of Joel Zumaya ... Lee reached on a two-out single to left.

With one pitch from Kevin Gregg the Cubs went from three games over .500 to just one game above ... and all of the positives from the game were erased.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Tigers - 06/23/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:30:00 PDT

Game Sixty-Seven: Cubs (34-32) vs. Tigers (38-31)
Game Time - 6:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 176
Location - Comerica Park, Detroit

Carlos Zambrano (4-2, 3.44/1.30) vs. Edwin Jackson (6-4, 2.39/1.06)

Can the Cubs get on track tonight in Detroit? The Cubs four-game winning streak came to an end on Monday night but the lack of offense away from Wrigley is becoming more and more concerning. In the Cubs last 29 innings away from the Friendly Confines, they have scored only one run. The Cubs must work on the fundamentals of the game, especially on the road, and it will not be an easy task for the nest three days.

The Cubs will have to cool off a very hot Tigers team and one that could get Magglio Ordonez back, depending on the report, after he was benched last week. Jim Leyland's team is coming off a weekend sweep of the Brewers and other than the Dodgers, is the best team the Cubs have faced this year.

This will be the first series for the Cubs in Detroit since 2001 and the Cubs are 5-3 in Interleague Play with seven left to play.

While it all starts with Carlos Zambrano ... the Cubs' offense has to do their part as well.

Cubs Still Looking at Pedro?

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:00:00 PDT

According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs are interested in Pedro Martinez because Rich Harden's "struggles have team officials nervous." According to Levine, the Cubs have watched a couple of Martinez's workouts in the Dominican. They realize he is a five-inning pitcher, at the most, at this stage in his career but "throwing at 83 or 84 miles an hour with his variety of off-speed pitches might get Pedro by a majority of big league hitters for a couple of months."

Looking Back at '84: The Sandberg Game

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

On a Saturday afternoon with Bob Costas calling the game for NBC, Ryne Sandberg cemented himself in the storied history of the Chicago Cubs. One of the greatest games in franchise history has since been nicknamed 'The Sandberg Game' and for many reasons June 23, 1984 will be forever etched in the memory of generations of Cubs fans.

Ryne Sandberg went on to win the NL MVP that season and the Cubs made it to the post-season for the first time since 1945. A new generation of the Faithful was born that wonderful summer.

Leading up to that Saturday afternoon, the Cubs had put together a good season but nothing prepared those in attendance, or watching at home, for what they were about to witness.

Ten Hits ... and No Runs - Cubs 0 Braves 2

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:10:13 PDT

Game Sixty-Six - Cubs 0 Braves 2
WP - Javier Vazquez (5-6) LP - Ryan Dempster (4-5) Save - Rafael Soriano (6)

The Cubs four-game winning streak came to an end on Monday night in Atlanta due to another poor performance by the offense. The Cubs were shutout for the sixth time this season and had plenty of opportunities to pick up a win. The Cubs out hit the Braves 10-8, but they were all singles and none when it counted. The Cubs were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left 12 on base.

Ryan Dempster put together another quality start despite struggling with his command. Dempster gave up only two runs on eight hits with six strikeouts ... but the four walks he issued hurt him again. Dempster pitched his way in and out of trouble in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings and kept his team in the game... with some help from his defense. Derrek Lee made a great play on a ball hit by Brian McCann to end the fifth and the Cubs turned a 6-4-3 double play to end the sixth.

Nate McClouth hurt the Cubs once again in his first game against them in a Braves' uniform. The former Pirate drove in the game's first run in the third and scored on Chipper Jones' sacrifice fly in the seventh.

The Cubs lone highlight was the third of the ten singles. Derrek Lee extended his hitting streak to a career-high 19 games in the first inning.

A lineup that consisted of six starters from the Cubs minor league system could not get it done in Atlanta. The Cubs dropped to 13-19 away from Wrigley as their offensive woes from earlier in the month picked up where it left off.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Braves - 06/22/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:30:00 PDT

Game Sixty-Six: Cubs (34-31) vs. Braves (32-36)
Game Time - 6:10pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast Sports Net - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - Turner Field, Atlanta

Ryan Dempster (4-4, 3.92/1.28) vs. Javier Vazquez (4-6, 3.41/1.01)

Can the Cubs win five in a row? After splitting the rain-shortened series at the beginning of the month (1-1), Lou Piniella's crew will make a brief stop in Atlanta tonight on their way to Detroit for a three-game set that begins on Tuesday night. This is the first of four make-up games the Cubs already have on their schedule ... the other three are at Wrigley. The original pitching match-up on Wednesday, June 4 was Carlos Zambrano versus Jair Jurrjens and Nate McLouth was set to make his Brave debut.

Tonight is the first of four cities on a very difficult 10-game road trip. While the Cubs play three on the South Side starting on Friday, their next game at Wrigley is not until July 2 ... the opener of a four-game weekend series against the Brewers.

The Cubs will face the Braves in Chicago for three games (July 6 - July 8), so with four of their next 17 games against Atlanta they must win the season series against Bobby Cox and company. Two of the keys to beating the Braves: 1) Do not pitch to Chipper Jones with a base open and the game on the line 2) Do not throw Jeff Francoeur any fastballs ... or anything in the strike zone.

Lou Piniella is expected to be without Reed Johnson for the next few days. Johnson's back locked up on him Sunday. Also, Piniella said on Sunday that Ryan Theriot and Alfonso Soriano would not be in tonight's lineup and Jake Fox would get a start in one of the corner spots in the outfield. Look for Andres Blanco at short, Aaron Miles at second and Mike Fontenot at third ... also with Milton Bradley's career numbers against Javier Vazquez, it would be a good time to give Micah Hoffpauir a start in the outfield.

Larry Rothschild will not be with the Cubs tonight. He will be attending a family funeral and Lester Strode will serve as the Cubs' pitching coach. Ryan Dempster will not be with the team in Detroit and will fly back to Chicago after the game to tend to family business. Carlos Zambrano did not make the trip south to Atlanta, Big Z went from Chicago to Detroit to prepare for the opener of the three-game series on Tuesday.

The Cubs must improve on their 13-18 record away from Wrigley beginning tonight ... and it all starts with Ryan Dempster.

Cubs Down on the Farm Report - 06/22/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:15:00 PDT

Here is the latest from the Cubs' minor league system. Jeff Samardzija put together an excellent outing on Saturday ... and Tyler Colvin is beginning to prove why the Cubs used a first round pick on him. Also Michael Brenly has really turned it on.

The Boise Hawks began play on Friday and one of the Cubs' top prospects, Hak-Ju Lee made their opening day roster as well as Matthew Cerda. Here's the rest ...

A Wells Done Sweep of the Tribe - Cubs 6 Indians 2

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:10:42 PDT

Game Sixty-Five - Cubs 6 Indians 2
WP - Randy Wells (1-3) LP - Jeremy Sowers (1-5) Save - Kevin Gregg (11)

For the first time since June 9 in Houston the Cubs won a game by more than a single run. The Cubs scored all six of their runs in the first five innings with Jake Fox leading the way. Fox drove in half of the Cubs runs with a 1-for-3 afternoon that included a sacrifice fly, a double and three RBI. Geovany Soto added two RBI on the afternoon, one on his fifth longball of the year that turned out to be the game-winner.

Randy Wells was finally rewarded with his first Major League victory. Wells turned in another quality start and even led off the four-run fifth inning with a single. Wells allowed two runs, one while he was on the mound, on five hits in 6 2/3 innings with a walk and three strikeouts.

Sean Marshall did a fine job in relief but allowed an inherited run to score on a single by Travis Hafner. Jose Ascanio made the ninth inning to interesting and created a save situation for Kevin Gregg. The Cubs much-maligned closer did his job on his fourth straight day of work and retired the two batters he faced in order, with help from a great defensive play by Andres Blanco, to seal the win for Randy Wells.

Derrek Lee extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a RBI single in the fifth. Lee drove in Randy Wells with the Cubs' third run of the game and finished the afternoon 1-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored ... the 18 straight games with a hit ties a career mark set in 2005.

Milton Bradley had a big day at the plate and has quietly put together a 10-game hitting streak of his own. Bradley doubled twice, was hit by a pitch and scored a run in four trips to the plate (2-for-3).

The Cubs tied a season-high with their fourth win in a row and have posted victories in five of the last six games (5-3 on the eight-game homestand). Lou Piniella's crew is three games over .500 (34-31) as they hit the road for a very difficult 10-game stretch.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Indians - 06/21/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:00:00 PDT

Game Sixty-Five: Cubs (33-31) vs. Indians (29-41)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast Sports Net - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Randy Wells (0-3, 2.55/1.13) vs. Jeremy Sowers (1-4, 5.14/1.51)

Updated - 10:55am C.T. - Angel Guzman Placed on 15-day DL - Kevin Hart Recalled

Happy Father's Day from everyone at the CCO ... Weather permitting ... Can the Cubs win four in a row? For the last two days Lou Piniella's crew has figured out how to top the dramatic walk-off win from the last game. Now it is time for the Cubs' offense to give Randy Wells enough support so he can post his first career big league victory.

With the 13 inning mini-marathon on Saturday, Lou Piniella will need a long, effective outing out of Randy Wells ... or he might end up taking one for the team. Piniella indicated in his post-game press conference Saturday that if the game would have gone to the 14th than Wells would have been used ... and they would have figured out today's starter later.

The Cubs are at the beginning of a stretch of 22 games in a row without a day off and Lou Piniella used his entire pen on Saturday. Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg might not be available after pitching three days in a row and both Aaron Heilman and Angel Guzman logged two innings each ... even David Patton saw action in back-to-back games for the second time this season. So Piniella's pen might consist of only Jose Ascanio and Sean Marshall.

Jake Fox is expected to get the start at third today against the southpaw Jeremy Sowers. Reports on Friday night indicated Fox would get the start at third against lefties until Aramis Ramirez returns. After getting a day off Saturday, Geovany Soto will be back behind the plate this afternoon.

In other baseball news ... The inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame Classic will take place at Doubleday Field this afternoon in Cooperstown, NY. The Baseball Hall of Fame Classic has replaced the annual Hall of Fame Game that ended last year with the rainout between the Cubs and the Padres. Hall of Famers and big leaguers from yesteryear will square off against one another at 1:00pm . Bob Feller will start for Team Wagner while Phil Niekro will start for Team Collins. Lee Smith will be in centerfield for Team Wagner and Ferguson Jenkins will follow Bob Feller in Team Wagner's rotation. Click here for more info on the Baseball Hall of Fame Classic.

While the offense needs to take care of business today ... it all starts with Randy Wells.

The Comeback Cubs Strike Again ... A Wild Finish Against Woody - Cubs 6 Indians 5

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:18:11 PDT

Game Sixty-Four - Cubs 6 Indians 5 - 13 innings
WP - David Patton (3-1) LP - Kerry Wood (2-3, BS 4) Save - None

Entering Saturday the last three wins for the Chicago Cubs had been in walk-off fashion ... and after nearly four and a half hours of baseball Lou Piniella's crew did it again against a familiar face. Kosuke Fukudome entered the afternoon 0-for-his-last-22 and reportedly his former hitting coach from Japan is en route to Chicago. But Kosuke broke out of his slump in a big way on Saturday.

Luis Valbuena hit his second home run of the game and third of the series that gave the Indians a 5-4 lead in the top of the inning. Kerry Wood took the mound in the bottom of the inning looking to bounce back from his blown save on Friday. Kosuke Fukudome (4-for-5 with a walk and two runs scored) led off the 13th with his fourth straight hit ... a single to right center on a 2-1 pitch. Koyie Hill followed and quickly got ahead 3-1. On a 3-2 pitch, Kosuke took off for second. Hill swung and missed Wood's offering but Kelly Shoppach's throw ended up in centerfield. Fukudome advanced to third with the tying run on the error.

Eric Wedge brought the infield in and on a 2-0 pitch, Andres Blanco's ground ball ended up in center and Kosuke crossed the plate with the tying run. Lou Piniella then called for a hit and run on a 1-0 pitch to Aaron Miles. Miles delivered a bloop single down the left field line, Blanco slid into third with the would-be winning run.

Jake Fox stepped in and looked at ball one before ripping the next pitch from Kerry Wood foul down the left field line. Wood's next pitch sailed way outside, hit the backstop and Blanco slid in feet first at home with the game winner. Wrigley erupted, Kerry Wood left the field disgusted and Pat Hughes screamed, "Cubs Win! Cubs Win! A Kerry Wood wild pitch! Cubs Win! The third straight miracle at Wrigley Field."

Derrek Lee had another big day. Lee extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a 2-for-5 afternoon and tied the game at two in the fifth with his 11th longball of the year ... his fourth in the last three games.

Micah Hoffpauir pinch-hit for Ted Lilly in the sixth and gave the Cubs a brief one-run lead. With the Cubs down 3-2, Kosuke Fukudome led off the sixth with a double to right ... his first hit of the afternoon. Koyie Hill advanced him to third with a productive groundout to first but Andres Blanco tapped back to the mound. Lou Piniella rolled the dice and lifted Lilly after only 87 pitches. The gamble paid off when Hoffpauir launched a 3-2 pitch from Tomo Ohka into the bleachers in right.

The Cubs bullpen could not hold the lead in the seventh. Jose Ascanio issued the Cubs' first walk of the afternoon to Chris Gimenez. Luis Valbuena, who will not want the series to be over on Sunday, singled to right and chased Ascanio from the game.

After Travis Hafner reached on a bloop single to center off Sean Marshall to load the bases with one out, Lou Piniella brought in Carlos Marmol to face Jamey Carroll. Marmol struck out Carroll for the second out but walked Jhonny Peralta to force in Gimenez with the tying run ... his third blown save of the year.

Marmol struck out Victor Martinez to end the inning and the Cubs' pen did not allow another run until the two-out homer by Luis Valbuena off of David Patton in the 13th. Aaron Heilman struggled through two scoreless innings. He walked four but struck out three and gave up only one-hit on a season-high 52 pitches.

Lou Piniella had to use Angel Guzman in the 10th and 11th after saying before the game he would not be available. Guzman, and his new glasses, responded with two perfect innings. Guzman struck out a pair and threw only 23 pitches, 17 for strikes. Kevin Gregg responded on his 31st birthday with another scoreless frame.

The Cubs pen ended up allowing two runs on four hits with seven walks and eight strikeouts in seven innings of work.

The Cubs played their seventh extra innings game of the month and improved to 5-5 on the year after their tenth extra innings contest of the season. The Cubs have won four of their last five and improved to two games over .500 at 33-31.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Indians - 06/20/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:30:00 PDT

Game Sixty-Four: Cubs (32-31) vs. Indians (29-40)
Game Time - 12:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 175
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Ted Lilly (7-4, 2.94/1.06) vs. Tomo Ohka (0-1, 4.24/1.18)

Can the Cubs win three in a row? The Cubs have shown they can hit late in games over the last two days, it is time for them to get out in front early and give one of their starters a win.

Ted Lilly will face a very good Indians' offense this afternoon led by an ex-teammate. Mark DeRosa lit up Ted Lilly in Mesa during Spring Training and many thought Lilly tipped his pitches that afternoon. When he was questioned about it back in March, Lilly promised there would be different results if he faced DeRosa during this series.

Carl Pavano was originally scheduled to start today for the Tribe but was pushed back to next week due to a sore neck. The Cubs will face former Brewer, Tomo Ohka instead. Ohka is coming off his first big league start since June 6, 2007 when he was with the Blue Jays. Ohka put together a solid outing in a loss to the Cardinals ... his only mistakes, two solo home runs by Albert Pujols.

So while the Cubs' offense tries to build off the last two games ... it all starts with Ted Lilly.

A Great Hop ... Cubs Come All the Way Back - Cubs 8 Indians 7

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:44:13 PDT

Game Sixty-Three - Cubs 8 Indians 7 - 10 innings
WP - Kevin Gregg (2-1) LP - Luis Vizcaino (1-3) Save - None

After an hour and twenty-six minute rain delay and staring at a 7-0 deficit after four innings, for the second day in a row the Cubs appeared headed for certain defeat. They had managed only one hit, a single by Rich Harden in the third, and the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner was on cruise control. While Cliff Lee was mowing down one Cub hitter after the other, Rich Harden struggled with his command and gave up not one but two three-run homers in the first three innings ... the final run for the Indians, a Mark DeRosa RBI single in the fourth.

Cliff Lee retired Ryan Theriot and Milton Bradley on two pitches to start the fourth then the Cubs offense began to wake up.

Derrek Lee recorded the second hit of the afternoon off Lee, a double to left on a 1-2 pitch. Geovany Soto walked and Jake Fox was robbed of a RBI single on a tremendous diving stop by Jamey Carroll on a ball ticketed for centerfield ... the Cubs came up empty in the fourth but Derrek Lee's two-out double appeared to jump start the offense.

Reed Johnson broke up the shutout with his fourth home run of the season in the fifth. Derrek Lee added his ninth round tripper of the year with one-out in the sixth ... and the Cubs were down by a score of 7-2.

Cliff Lee worked a scoreless seventh and took the mound in the eighth. Milton Bradley began the comeback with a single to center that chased Cliff Lee from the game. Joe Smith struck out Derrek Lee on three pitches but Geovany Soto lined a double into left center on a 1-0 offering. Jake Fox struck out for the second out in the eighth.

Reed Johnson kept the inning alive and worked a walk to load the bases. Andres Blanco followed with a two-run single to right that cut the Indians lead to 7-4. Mike Fontenot was sent to the plate to hit for Aaron Heilman and Eric Wedge countered with Rafael Perez. Lou Piniella took down Fontenot and sent Koyie Hill up to face the southpaw. Hill responded with a shot off third baseman Jhonny Peralta that plated Johnson with the Cubs fifth run ... the error kept the inning going for Alfonso Soriano.

Eric Wedge left Perez into face Soriano and the Cubs' leadoff hitter came through with a single to left center ... his first hit of the game. Blanco scored and the Cubs were down by just one after eight, 7-6 ... the Cubs scored all four runs with two outs.

Kerry Wood took the mound at Wrigley Field for the first time not in a Cubs' uniform. Due to the Indians' struggles Wood had not recorded a save since May 28. Wood retired Milton Bradley for the first out ... then had to face a longtime teammate.

Derrek Lee tied the game with his second home run of the game on a 1-0 fastball from Kerry Wood that landed in the bleachers down the left field line. Lee's tenth of the year and third in two games completed the unlikely comeback ... Wood's third blown save of the year gave the Cubs a chance for their second walk-off win in a row.

Kevin Gregg survived the tenth after the Cubs committed two errors that led to the Indians loading the bases. Gregg retired Ryan Garko on a lineout to center, thanks to an excellent catch by Kosuke Fukudome, to end the inning and preserve the 7-7 tie.

Another former Cub, Luis Vizcaino took the mound in the bottom of the tenth and retired Andres Blanco and Kosuke Fukudome.

Alfonso Soriano walked with two outs then stole second on a 1-1 pitch with Ryan Theriot at the plate ... his seventh stolen base of the year. Theriot worked the count to 3-2 then hit a smash toward Victor Martinez at first. The ball took a bad hop, ended up in right field, Alfonso Soriano crossed the plate and the Cubs celebrated their biggest comeback of the season.

The Cubs somehow found a way to post another remarkable come from behind win for the second day in a row ... and the last three Cubs' wins have come in walk-off fashion. After plating only 10 runs in their previous six games, the Cubs' offense scored 14 runs in Thursday and Friday's dramatic victories.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Indians - 06/19/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:00 PDT

Game Sixty-Three: Cubs (31-31) vs. Indians (29-39)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast Sports Net - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Rich Harden (4-3, 4.53/1.35) vs. Cliff Lee (4-6, 2.88/1.33)

Weather permitting ...Can the Cubs win two in a row? The come from behind victory against the White Sox showed the Cubs could hit for a couple of innings ... and now it is time to post wins on consecutive days for the first time since June 7 and June 9.

While the Cubs just completed a rain-shortened "Crosstown Classic", the next three days will be focused on two players the Cubs parted ways with over the winter. The return of Mark DeRosa and Kerry Wood to Wrigley Field will make all of the headlines ... and both players figure to have a huge impact on the next three games, especially Mark DeRosa.

Kerry Wood was synonymous with the Chicago Cubs for over a decade ... Derrek Lee recently called him the 'Mr. Cub' of this generation. Wood has been good for the Indians, especially of late (2-2 with a 4.63 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP, eight out of 10 in save opportunities ... no hits or runs in last six games, 5 1/3 innings, with two walks and six strikeouts) and he credits his recent success with the fact he is throwing his devastating breaking ball for strikes.

Mark DeRosa spent two seasons with the Cubs and was traded on New Year's Eve for three minor league pitchers. The 2009 version of the Chicago Cubs has missed DeRosa, no doubt, but he has become a legend in Chicago over the last six months. Many will be on hand to show support for Mark DeRosa today, but Jim Hendry will not be at Wrigley to hear the cheers (and likely standing ovation). Hendry is in Omaha this weekend at the College World Series.

After a horrible start to the year, DeRosa has been on fire of late and figures to finish the year in a different uniform. DeRosa has hit safely in his last seven games and is hitting .323/.380/.600 with five home runs and three doubles in his last 16 games ... for the year, .280/.348/.479/.827 with 12 doubles, 13 home runs and 48 RBI in 64 games.

The Indians won seven of 11 before being swept by the Brewers at home. The Tribe scored 25 runs in the three losses ... their offense is not the problem, it is Cleveland's bullpen and every starter not named Cliff Lee.

The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is coming off a gem against the Cardinals last Sunday night. Cliff Lee took a no-hitter into the eighth and is on top of his game right now. Lee has dominated the National League in Interleague Play. He is 2-0 in his last five starts against the NL with a 1.72 ERA and is 12-2 in 20 career Interleague starts with a 3.18 ERA.

The Cubs offense must make Cliff Lee work and get into their bullpen. While it all starts with Rich Harden, another good game from Alfonso Soriano would go a long way toward a win. Soriano recorded his first multi-hit game on Thursday since May 17 ...

A Walk-off to Build On? - Cubs 6 White Sox 5

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:40:05 PDT

Game Sixty-Two - Cubs 6 White Sox 5
WP - Kevin Gregg (1-1) LP - Matt Thornton (4-2) Save - None

The Cubs appeared well on their way to losing their second game in a row. The offense was horrible for seven innings and managed only one run on four singles off of Gavin Floyd. The Cubs were getting themselves out once again and all signs pointed to the Cubs dropping to two games under .500 on the year.

Ozzie Guillen lifted Gavin Floyd for a pinch hitter in the eighth after the White Sox tacked on two against Carlos Marmol. Floyd had thrown only 90 pitches through seven innings. With the Cubs down 5-1, Guillen turned the game over to his pen ... and the Cubs took advantage.

Micah Hoffpauir reached on a error by Chris Getz and advanced to second on the first hit of the series by Alfonso Soriano. Scott Linebrink then retired Ryan Theriot on an infield pop up and struck out Milton Bradley for the second out of the inning. Derrek Lee lifted the first pitch from Linebrink into the basket in right center.

Derrek Lee's eighth home run of the year might have been the biggest swing of the Cubs first 62 games.

Geovany Soto followed and on a 1-1 pitch from Linebrink, got a fastball in his wheelhouse and tied the game at five. Soto's fourth home run of the year ended up in the bleachers in left center ... and the Cubs bench exploded. The Cubs battled all the way back and while all four runs in the eighth were unearned, they were a long time coming for the Cubs' struggling offense.

Kevin Gregg retired three of the four batters he faced in the ninth and set up the possibility of another win in their last at bat.

Reed Johnson pinch-hit for Kosuke Fukudome and led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to center off Matt Thornton. Andres Blanco sacrificed Johnson to second but Aaron Miles grounded out to short for the second out of the inning.

Alfonso Soriano, who was 0-for-his-last-17 with runners in scoring position, came through with his second hit of the game ... a bloop single to right center that plated Reed Johnson with the winning run.

Kevin Gregg earned his first win as a Cub and Derrek Lee extended his hitting streak to 15 games with his dinger in the eighth ... Lee recorded four of the Cubs six RBI on the afternoon.

Lou Piniella's crew even their season record at 31-31 with exactly 100 games left to play. And there is little doubt this was a big victory for the Chicago Cubs. Could Thursday's come from behind win be a springboard for better things left to come this season?

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. White Sox - 06/18/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:45:00 PDT

Game Sixty-Two: Cubs (30-31) vs. White Sox (31-34)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 185
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Carlos Zambrano (4-2, 3.39/1.30) vs. Gavin Floyd (4-5, 4.84/1.39)

Weather permitting ... Will Lou deliver on his promise of change today? The Cubs manager apparently reached the end of his rope after another horrible day for the offense on Wednesday. Lou Piniella talked about making changes and reports after the team's fourth loss in a row to the Sox indicated the starting lineup would have a different look today.

The Cubs have scored two runs or less in 14 of the last 25 games and lead on the San Diego Padres in runs scored this season.

Milton Bradley just keeps on talking instead of producing. Bradley on Piniella: "I feel for Lou. He's doing all he can do. All he can do is write the lineup out. You've got the personnel and guys in here to get the job done, and we're just not doing it. He shouldn't have to go through everything he's going through."

Carlos Zambrano was slated to start the opener on Tuesday but after the rainout was announced Big Z was relegated to playing catch outside of the Cubs dugout. Zambrano agreed to be pushed to this afternoon to keep Ryan Dempster on schedule. Dempster will start the makeup game on Monday in Atlanta then will tend to matters concerning his daughter will the Cubs play the Tigers in Detroit.

The Cubs' offensive issues will not get any help this afternoon. While the reigning AL pitcher of the week in Jose Contreras was pushed to Friday, the Cubs will have to deal with a very good right-hander they have never faced before in Gavin Floyd.

Carlos Zambrano must set the tone early, be a leader and give the Cubs a chance to plate a couple of early runs ... and hopefully build a little confidence. Forget the fact that the Cubs are playing the Sox, the Cubs need a win today ...

Cubs Down on the Farm Report - 06/18/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:15:00 PDT

Here is your mid-week update for our Young Cubs. Don't forget that you can check out my site at YoungCubsWorld.com for daily updates of the big performers.

Pedro Close to Signing with Cubs or Rays?

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:58:29 PDT

Just after the Cubs lost to the White Sox on Wednesday afternoon, the Associated Press released a report that stated Pedro Martinez "could be back on a major league mound soon. The right-hander said on Wednesday that he has had talks with the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays and hopes to sign a contract in the near future."

Martinez told the Associated Press, "There's a good chance I'll be signing soon, but there still isn't anything firm." The Cubs and Rays have shown the most interest in the free-agent pitcher according to Martinez.

Updated - 7:58pm C.T. - Bruce Levine Shoots Down the Pedro Martinez Rumors

Same Offense ... Different Day - Cubs 1 White Sox 4

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:23:32 PDT

Game Sixty-One - Cubs 1 White Sox 4
WP - John Danks (5-5) LP - Ryan Dempster (4-4) Save - Bobby Jenks (15)

Lou Piniella's crew lost their fourth straight game to the White Sox due to the same old and tired offense that cannot produce. The Cubs avoided their sixth shutout of the season with a run in the eighth on a weak ground out to short by Alfonso Soriano that plated Aaron Miles. The Cubs offense managed only five hits all afternoon, one extra base hit, and did not manage a single walk while striking out 11 times.

Ryan Dempster struggled with his command and walked a season-high six batters but he allowed only three runs in six plus innings ... his ninth quality start of the year. Dempster did his part and kept his team in the game. Dempster pitched good enough to win but did not receive any support from his offense whatsoever.

Lou Piniella addressed his team's pathetic offense following the game. Piniella said, "It's coming to a point where I'm going to have to make some tough decisions and make changes. I've tried to be patient." After a few pauses due to frustration, Piniella added, "We'll see. We'll see. What can I say? Sooner or later you've got to start hitting or there will be changes."

The Cubs blew two chances to score runs in the second and in the fourth down by only two runs (2-0). The Cubs finished the afternoon 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left four on base. The hardest hit balls all afternoon ended up being two outs ... Ryan Theriot's lineout in the sixth and Jake Fox's fly out to deep left center in the eighth that would have been a home run on any other day.

The Sox played the game right on Wednesday afternoon. After Alexei Ramirez gave them a 1-0 lead with his sixth longball of the year in the first inning, Brian Anderson reached on a bloop single and scored on a broken bat triple by Chris Getz in the second.

The Sox third run came in the seventh on a suicide squeeze by Scott Podsednik ... and a sacrifice fly by A.J. Pierzynski in the eighth plated their fourth run. While the Sox have their own issues with scoring runs, at least they can get runners in from third with less than two outs.

The entire roster is pressing right now, with the possible exception of Derrek Lee who extended his hitting streak to 14 games on Wednesday. The Cubs are not changing their approach at the plate with two strikes and they are refusing to hit the ball where it is pitched. Even 'the little guys' are swinging for the fences during every at bat. One of the reasons the Cubs were so successful a year ago was due to the fact they made pitchers work, took walks and were patiently aggressive ... this year they are striking themselves out.

For the fourth time this year the Cubs are looking up at the .500 mark....

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. White Sox - 06/17/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:00:00 PDT

Game Sixty-One: Cubs (30-30) vs. White Sox (30-34)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast Sports Net (Cubs)/WGN TV (White Sox) - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Ryan Dempster (4-3, 3.87/1.25) vs. John Danks (4-5, 4.81/1.41)

Weather permitting the Cubs and White Sox will renew their crosstown rivalry this afternoon ... a day late.

The Cubs not only begin an important series against the White Sox this afternoon but begin a stretch of 22 games in a row without a day off ... and Lou Piniella's crew plays 26 games in the next 26 days leading up to the All-Star break. To say this is a crucial part of the schedule for the Cubs would be an understatement.

While 'bragging rights' are always important when the Cubs and the Sox meet up for the annual Crosstown Classic, right now the Cubs need to post wins no matter who they play. The Cubs have struggled against the American League and Sunday's win ended a six-game losing streak against the Junior Circuit. The Cubs are 1-2 in Interleague Play and will play the Sox five times in the next 12 days ... with three against the Indians, the make-up game in Atlanta on Monday, June 22 and three in Detroit before finishing up on the South Side on June 28.

The Cubs and Sox have each won 33 of the 64 games (33-33 all-time record in Interleague Play). The Cubs swept the three games at Wrigley a year ago and the Sox returned the favor on the South Side seven days later. These games are always close and usually decided by a play or two. Both teams are struggling to score runs and each game could be decided by the team with the last at bat...

But this afternoon it is the Cubs versus the Sox ... and the Cubs need to put wins on the board.

Round One of Cubs-Sox Postponed

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:29:01 PDT

The game between the Cubs and White Sox scheduled for Tuesday night was postponed due to rain ... less than twenty minutes into the rain delay.

The Cubs have not announced a makeup date. ESPN 1000 reported earlier on Tuesday afternoon that the game would likely be played on one of two mutual off days for the Cubs and Sox in September.

Updated - 7:38pm C.T. - Ryan Dempster will start on Wednesday and Carlos Zambrano has been moved to Thursday afternoon's series finale.

From the Wire...Fox Recalled from Iowa

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:23:38 PDT

According to a report from Bruce Levine on ESPN 1000, the Cubs have recalled Jake Fox from Triple-A Iowa.

The Cubs have not announced the corresponding roster move. Jake Fox was optioned to Iowa on June 10 and must remain in Triple-A for at least 10 days unless he is replacing an injured player.

Updated - 3:23pm C.T. - Jason Waddell Placed on 15-day DL

An Important Stretch for Lou Piniella's Crew

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:30:00 PDT

While many will focus on the next three games with the White Sox, and rightfully so, the Cubs begin a very important stretch of games on Tuesday night. Lou Piniella's crew begins a string of 23 games in a row without a day off and between Tuesday and the All-Star break they will play 27 games in 27 days that concludes with a day-night doubleheader against the Cardinals on July 12.

The Cubs figure to be without Aramis Ramirez for a majority, if not all, of the games leading up to the Mid-Summer Classic. The Cubs are 30-30 after 60 games but the next 27 days will have a huge impact on the remainder of the season ...

CCO Radio...Talkin' Cubs Before the Crosstown Classic

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:55:00 PDT

After struggling to score runs over the weekend and letting go of Gerald Perry on Sunday, the Cubs spend a day off before welcoming Ozzie Guillen and the White Sox to the North Side on Tuesday night. The CCO Radio returns for a Monday edition before the Cubs open a stretch of 23 in a row without an off day.

Need your daily Cubs' fix? Call the CCO Radio tonight and discuss the Cubs 30-30 record after 60 games.

Go see "We Believe."

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:00:00 PDT

Whether or not you are a Cubs fan, and chances are, if you are reading this, you are a Cubs' fan. But, nonetheless, go see the movie.

Making a documentary about the Cubs is not easy. Why? Because so many have been made. WGN and HBO dipped into the Cubs history recently, but "We Believe" directed by John Schienfeld, separates itself with two key aspects.

Cubs Down on the Farm Report - 06/15/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Here is your end of the week update from our Young Cubs. There was some interesting movement in the transaction log this week.

Brandon Guyer couldn't hit his weight at Tennessee so he got sent down to Daytona while Todd Blackford was throwing so poorly in Tennessee that I was surprised that Daytona was as far as he was demoted. Doug Deeds getting demoted to Tennessee was a little surprising, but I think it was more of a numbers situation than anything else; Jake Fox returned this week to Triple-A and Jason Dubois has been hitting with authority, so there really wasn't going to be enough playing time for him in Iowa.

Thanks for reading and as always you can check out my site at YoungCubsWorld.com for daily updates.

From First to Third with a Cubs Win - Cubs 3 Twins 2

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:20:07 PDT

Game Sixty - Cubs 3 Twins 2
WP - Carlos Marmol (2-1) LP - Jesse Crain (2-3) Save - None

For all of his troubles early in the season, Derrek Lee has come on of late and led his team to a much-needed win on Sunday. Derrek Lee recorded two of the Cubs eight hits and scored two of their three runs ... and it was Lee's hustle in the ninth that was the difference in the game.

Derrek Lee reached on a one-out single to left on a 1-0 pitch from Jesse Crain. Geovany Soto, who had a big game at the plate, followed with a single to left on a 0-1 pitch. The Twins were playing no doubles and Lee took advantage of Delmon Young being deep in left field. Lee did not hesitate around second and slid into third with the would-be go winning run. Soto followed Lee's lead and advanced to second on Young's throw to third ... Lee pumped his fist emphatically as he was called safe.

The Twins intentionally walked Mike Fontenot to load the bases but Ryan Theriot (2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and two RBI) delivered his second RBI of the game, a single to right that plated Lee with the game winner. The Cubs celebrated near first base as the home crowd sang the victory song.

Derrek Lee (2-for-4 with two runs scored) extended his hitting streak to 13 games in the third inning and scored the Cubs first run on a sacrifice fly to right by Ryan Theriot in the second inning ... Lee has reached base safely in 23 straight. Geovany Soto hit two doubles and drove in a run in a 3-for-4 afternoon. For as bad as Lee and Soto started their seasons, both have started producing of late. Lee is 17-for-46 in June with two doubles and two home runs (.370/.463/.548) while Soto is hitting over .280 since mid-May with two home runs and four doubles.

Ted Lilly turned in another excellent outing. Lilly made only two mistakes in his 7 2/3 innings of work, and both were to Carlos Gomez with two outs. The Twins' centerfielder reached on a two-out double in the second, stole third and scored on a bunt single by Nick Punto. Gomez then tied the game with two outs in the sixth with his first home run of the season.

Ted Lilly left with the game tied and two on with two out in the eighth after surrendering two runs on nine hits, without a walk and six strikeouts on the afternoon.

Carlos Marmol retired Carlos Gomez on a foul out on a 3-2 pitch to end the eighth ... and after issuing back-to-back one-out walks in the ninth, retired Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau to end the ninth inning. After struggling with his command earlier in the inning, Marmol appeared to gain confidence after he retired Joe Mauer. Marmol quickly got ahead of Morneau and induced an inning ending ground out to second base.

Milton Bradley (1-for-4 with a double and a run scored) doubled and scored the Cubs' second run in the fourth inning. Bradley advanced to third on a productive groundout by Derrek Lee and scored on Soto's second double of the afternoon. Bradley contributed to a Cubs' win and ended his weekend on a positive note.

On the day the Cubs relieved Gerald Perry of his duties as hitting coach, the Cubs found a way to win a game without a home run. The Cubs strung together three hits in the ninth and hit with runners in scoring position ... 2-for-7 with a sacrifice fly on the afternoon.

As Derrek Lee said following the game, Sunday was a big win for the Chicago Cubs ...

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Twins - 06/14/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 09:47:48 PDT

Game Sixty: Cubs (29-30) vs. Twins (32-32)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 186
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Ted Lilly (7-4, 3.00/1.05) vs. Scott Baker (4-6, 5.59/1.17)

Updated - 11:54am C.T. - Gerald Perry Fired - Von Joshua Promoted to Cubs Hitting Coach

Today is game 60 of 162. After this afternoon's contest with the Twins, one-third of the Cubs season will be completed and this team is a mess. To say the 2009 version of the Chicago Cubs have not performed to expectations would be an understatement ... but the fact the enter play in fourth place, only 3 1/2 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers is encouraging.

The Cubs are not hitting and are on the verge of being swept at home by the Minnesota Twins, a team that had won just nine road games before Friday (11-20). Lou Piniella sounds as frustrated as many of the players but the bottom line is that this team is not hitting with runners in scoring position, especially on third base with less than two outs. The entire team is playing tight and needs someone to step up today and drive in a few runs early and relax the entire team.

Ryan Freel will begin a rehab assignment on Monday with the I-Cubs and is expected to rejoin the Cubs soon.

But today it all begins with Ted Lilly as the Cubs offense tries to string together hits and put a couple of crooked numbers on the board ... and end the Cubs embarrassing four-game losing streak.

Piniella's Offensive Offense - Cubs 0 Twins 2

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:53:19 PDT

Game Fifty-Nine - Cubs 0 Twins 2
WP - Anthony Swarzak (2-2) LP - Rich Harden (4-3) Save - Joe Nathan (15)

The Chicago Cubs lead the majors in quality starts yet due to another pathetic performance on Saturday by the offense, the Cubs are a game under .500 for the third time this season. Lou Piniella initially refused to talk about the Cubs' offense after being shutout for the fifth time this year. Once he decided to discuss the glaring problem with his team, Piniella said he does not know what to do with the offense. Piniella pointed out he has played everyone they have and he has mixed up the lineup ... Piniella sounded more than frustrated and disgusted with the lack of offense from his team.

The Cubs dropped to 2-5 on the season against rookie pitchers and allowed Anthony Swarzak to turn in his best outing of his big league career. Swarzak struck out a career-high six batters and walked just one ... a new career low after only five Major League starts. The Cubs made a lot of routine outs against Swarzak and really did not hit the ball hard all afternoon.

The Cubs tried to mount a comeback in the ninth, which would have been just their second of the year at Wrigley. Milton Bradley got a gift on a 2-2 pitch from Joe Nathan and ended up walking to start the inning. Derrek Lee lined a single to left off of Joe Crede's glove and the Cubs had two runners on base for only the second time in the game.

With the tying runs on base, Lou Piniella pinch-hit for Geovany Soto and inserted Andres Blanco to lay down a bunt ... something that would not have been thought about a year ago when Soto was hitting the ball. Blanco did his job and advanced Bradley and Lee into scoring position with one-out.

Kosuke Fukudome, who has begun his offensive decent, struck out swinging on three pitches. On a 2-0 pitch from Joe Nathan, Ryan Theriot hit a lazy fly into right to end the game.

Rich Harden put together an excellent outing in his first start since May 17. Harden allowed only two runs on five hits in six innings with two walks and nine strikeouts ... his most strikeouts since April 26 in St. Louis. Harden made only two mistakes and he accepted responsibility following the game for putting his team in an early hole.

Jason Kubel hit his second home run of the series off of Harden in the second inning that ended up on Sheffield ... it was Kubel's fourth home run in five games. The Twins second run came in the third on a one-out RBI single to right by Joe Mauer.

Jose Ascanio, Sean Marshall and Kevin Gregg each tossed an inning of no-hit ball in relief of Rich Harden.

The Twins did not record another hit off Cubs' pitching following the RBI single by Joe Mauer in the third inning.

The Cubs lost their fourth game in a row ... and have dropped 16 of their last 24 games.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Twins - 06/13/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:47:39 PDT

Game Fifty-Nine: Cubs (29-29) vs. Twins (31-32)
Game Time - 12:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast Sports Net - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 175
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Rich Harden (4-2, 4.74/1.37) vs. Anthony Swarzak (1-2, 5.23/1.55)

Updated - 11:55am C.T. - Game Under Rain Delay - First Pitch Slated for 12:35pm C.T.

Weather permitting Lou Piniella's crew will try to avoid dipping below .500 this afternoon behind Rich Harden. Harden will be activated from the 15-day DL and will make his first start since May 17. To make room for Harden on the active roster, the Cubs optioned Bobby Scales to Triple-A Iowa ... and a team that cannot score runs will carry 13 pitchers on their active roster. So until Jake Fox is recalled on June 16, the Cubs will have only four pinch hitters, and one will be a backup catcher.

The Cubs must come out this afternoon and play one of their better games of the season ... after the embarrassing loss on Friday.

From the Wire...Scales Optioned to Iowa

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:29:05 PDT

According to a report from Bruce Levine on ESPN Chicago, the Cubs optioned Bobby Scales to Iowa on Friday to make room on the active for Rich Harden. Harden will be activated on Saturday in order to make his first start since May 17.

Harden has been on the DL since May 18.

Not a Good Day to be Milton Bradley - Cubs 4 Twins 7

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:37:51 PDT

Game Fifty-Eight - Cubs 4 Twins 7
WP - Kevin Slowey (9-2) LP - Randy Wells (0-3) Save - Joe Nathan (14)

The Chicago Cubs lost their third game in a row in large part due to non-existent offense. The Cubs managed only one hit off Kevin Slowey in the first five innings without a walk ... and after the first bad start of the season by Randy Wells, the 4-0 deficit after four innings made a comeback seem virtually impossible.

The Cubs closed the gap to 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth but it should have been more. Aaron Miles singled to center with the Cubs' first hit since the opening inning. Bobby Scales stepped in and delivered a single to right. For the record, Scales is 4-for-7 with a triple and two home runs as a pinch hitter. With runners on first and second, Alfonso Soriano struck out but Mike Fontenot walked to load the bases.

Milton Bradley delivered a double off the wall in right that just missed leaving the park. Miles and Scales scored and cut the Twins' lead in half. With runners on second and third with one out, Derrek Lee grounded out to third, Fontenot scored but for some reason Bradley ran on contact and was tagged out by Joe Crede. Mike Quade talked with Bradley following the inning about his mistake that removed the tying run from scoring position.

With the Cubs down 4-3 in the seventh, Jason Waddell retired Joe Mauer on a fly out to left. Justin Morneau singled to right on a 0-2 pitch and Jason Kubel reached on a routine fly ball hit to Bradley in right. Bradley lost the ball in the sun.

Aaron Heilman replaced Waddell and following a fly out to right center by Joe Crede, Michael Cuddyer blooped a double down the right field line that Milton Bradley dove to try to catch. Morneau scored and the Twins took a commanding 5-3 lead.

The top of the eighth inning summed up the first 58 games of the season with one play and the reason why the Cubs are seven games under .500 when Milton Bradley steps on the field.

Nick Punto singled to center and after the Twins' second sacrifice bunt of the game, both by pitchers on an American League team, Punto advanced to second. Brendan Harris singled to left to put runners on first and third with one out ... ONE OUT.

Joe Mauer worked the count to 3-2 against Aaron Heilman before hitting a routine fly to Milton Bradley. As Milton was positioning to catch the ball he turned and faced the right field foul line and caught the ball out of position to make a throw to the plate. After Bradley made the play, he paused, bent over then turned and tossed the ball into the bleachers. Bradley's reaction before he threw the ball appeared to be in response to losing the ball in the sun in the previous inning. Bradley posed as the Twins were scoring their sixth run of the game and as Brendan Harris was making his way to third base.

Lou Piniella left Milton Bradley in the game after his incredibly selfish act.

Players make mistakes and the reason Bradley should be benched is not because of the error but his actions. Bradley was trying to prove a point to the fans in attendance and in turn all he did was further alienate a fan base that has already grown tired of his act and lack of production.

In his post-game press conference in response to Milton Bradley's mistake Lou Piniella said, "I haven't seen that one before. I'll be honest with you. First the bad baserunning play, then that ... the only positive was the two-run double. It wasn't a good day for him." Later in the press conference Piniella added, "I mean do we need to teach math ... 1, 2, 3. I've never seen it before. Gotta keep your head in the game."

With another frustrating loss that was taken to a new low by Milton Bradley, the Cubs are back to .500 for the 11th time this season.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Twins - 06/12/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:15:00 PDT

Game Fifty-Eight: Cubs (29-28) vs. Twins (30-32)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Randy Wells (0-2, 1.86/1.01) vs. Kevin Slowey (8-2, 4.21/1.43)

After a disappointing end to the road trip and their fifth extra inning game in 10 days, the Cubs will get back to work today at Wrigley with the first of fifteen in a row against American League teams ... the Cubs are one of two teams that has yet to face the other league.

Under Lou Piniella, the Cubs posted an 8-4 record in Interleague play in 2007 but last year they were 6-9 without Alfonso Soriano. Soriano missed all of the games against the Junior Circuit while Carlos Zambrano was on the shelf for the last half.

The Twins are 2-7 in nine games at Wrigley and were swept in a three-game series in Chicago the last time they made the trip to the North Side in 2001. The Twins won all three games the last time the two teams faced off in Interleague play at the Metrodome back in 2006.

The Twins are expected to activate Nick Punto today. Punto has been on the DL with a groin strain since May 20.

The Cubs must start hitting the ball, which they do better at Wrigley. Alfonso Soriano is in the biggest slump of his career and is hitting just .182 with a .289 OBP in his last seven games after posting a .216 average and a .261 OBP in 26 games in May ... Soriano has hit only seven home runs in his last 33 games after knocking seven in his first 21 of the year. Soriano is not the only problem but considering he gets the most at bats of any other player, the Cubs seem to go as he goes ... and right now they are not scoring enough runs to win games.

As usual, it all starts with Randy Wells ... but the offense has to do their part.

'We Believe' Premiere

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:30:00 PDT

The new movie based on the Chicago Cubs and the Faithful will have its Chicago premiere on Friday night at the Chicago Theatre. The CCO will be on hand and will post a review of the film that is focused on the Cubs, their relationship with the fans and the city of Chicago early next week.

The film crew followed the Cubs last season and features interviews with several players from last year's squad as well as historic footage on the Cubs and pieces from the organizations storied past.

The premiere is at 7:00pm C.T. with an additional showing at 10:30pm for the general public. The film is scheduled for a national release later this summer as well as a release on DVD.

Déjà Vu ... Again and Again and Again - Cubs 1 Astros 2

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:08:25 PDT

Game Fifty-Seven - Cubs 1 Astros 2 - 13 innings
WP - Jeff Fulchino (2-1) LP - Jose Ascanio (0-1) Save - None

For the second game in a row the Cubs lost 2-1 to the Astros on a game winning single by Geoff Blum ... and the offense wasted another strong pitching performance from Ryan Dempster and three relievers. The Cubs offense is simply horrific right now. They cannot score unless they hit the ball out of the park. After plating seven runs on Tuesday night the Cubs managed only two runs in the final twenty-two innings of the series, both solo home runs.

The Cubs had chances early on against Russ Ortiz but could not come up with any hits with runners on base and managed only three hits in 5 1/3 innings off of Ortiz.. The Cubs were 0-for-6 on Thursday afternoon with runners in scoring position and left eight more on base ... a total of 46 runners left on base in the last four games.

For as bad as the Cubs offense has been, the pitching staff has been equally as good. Ryan Dempster turned in another quality start and other than struggling a little in the first inning, Dempster did his job. The Astros scored only one run off Dempster, in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Carlos Lee. Dempster struck out four, did not walk a batter and lowered his ERA to 3.87 for the season.

Carlos Marmol pitched his first multi-inning game of the year. Other than a walk to Lance Berkman, Marmol was perfect. Kevin Gregg tosses two innings of scoreless relief as well. Gregg gave up three hits and pitched around an error by Andres Blanco in the tenth.

Jose Ascanio retired the Astros in order in the 12th but issued a one-out walk to Hunter Pence in the 13th that ended up being the difference. Ascanio struck out Jason Michaels for the second out but Pence stole second on the swinging strikeout. Ascanio intentionally walked Lance Berkman ... and Geoff Blum made the Cubs pay once again.

Geoff Blum ripped a 1-1 pitch from Ascanio down the right field line that plated Hunter Pence with the game winner.

The Cubs only run came in the top of the ninth off of LaTroy Hawkins. Derrek Lee hit his seventh home run of the year over the wall in right on a 1-2 pitch to tie the game at one.

The Cubs lack of execution with runners on base sent them into extra innings for the fifth time in their last eight games and they finished their eight-game road trip with 4-4 record. All four losses on the trip were by one-run and on the year Lou Piniella's crew is 6-11 in one-run games.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Astros - 06/11/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:30:00 PDT

Game Fifty-Seven: Cubs (29-27) vs. Astros (26-31)
Game Time - 1:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast Sports Net - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 185
Location - Minute Maid Park, Houston

Ryan Dempster (4-3, 4.12/1.28) vs. Russ Ortiz (3-2, 3.96/1.71)

The Chicago Cubs put the finishing touches on a very long road trip today with the last game of the year in Houston. The Cubs are 4-3 in what turned out to be an eight-game trek after the rainout last Thursday in Atlanta. But after four extra inning games and three different cities in ten games, the Cubs must be ready to play a few games at Wrigley Field.

Roy Oswalt was originally scheduled to start today's game, then the Astros penciled in Mike Hampton earlier in the week...as of this writing it will be Ryan Dempster against Russ Ortiz in the finale of the three-game series.

Milton Bradley may or may not play today. After hearing Lou Piniella's attitude so many times this season when asked about Bradley's status, he is probably unsure as well. Bradley appeared to tweak something on Wednesday night and will likely be held out of the lineup. Micah Hoffpauir could use a little playing time and the Cubs' offense needs a little production from right field.

Speaking of hitting, Lou Piniella was apparently unaware that Jake Fox was 5-for-6 as a pinch-hitter. According to the Sun-Times Piniella's response, "My. God, don't tell me that. Really? Five-for-six pinch-hitting? Oh, well."

Look for Koyie Hill to get the start behind the plate today. While Geovany Soto appears to be on the verge of turning his season around, Piniella likes to give his catcher a day off following a night game.

But today, it all starts with Ryan Dempster...

Cubs Down on the Farm Report ... and 2009 Draft Recap - 06/11/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:15:00 PDT

Here is your mid-week update for our Young Cubs. I am going to pass on just brief recaps of the games this week and I will focus more on 2009 Draft this week.

On Tuesday Major League Baseball had three rounds of picks as well as a compensatory round of picks for teams that lost Type A and Type B Free Agents. So here are the results of the week and a draft recap. On Wednesday they drafted for rounds 4-30 and then on Thursday they will conclude the draft with rounds 31-50.

Don't forget that you can check out my site at YoungCubsWorld.com for daily updates of the big performers.

Gotta Zcore More Than One to Win - Cubs 1 Astros 2

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:20:30 PDT

Game Fifty-Six - Cubs 1 Astros 2
WP - Chris Sampson (3-0) LP - Angel Guzman (2-1) Save - None

Lou Piniella's crew dropped their third one-run game of the road trip despite a tremendous performance by Carlos Zambrano. Zambrano turned in one of his better outings of the season after finding his rhythm early in the game. Zambrano pounded the strike zone for a majority of the night ... and at the beginning of the seventh inning, Zambrano had thrown only 70 pitches. Z finished the night tossing 104, 64 for strikes, and until the seventh it appeared that he would be able to hold up the 1-0 lead that Geovany Soto gave him in the second inning ... but that all changed with his second walk of the night.

Carlos Zambrano allowed only one run on three hits in eight innings with three strikeouts and two walks ... but it was a walk to Hunter Pence to lead off the seventh that would come around to tie the game. After Pence walked, Carlos Lee singled to center and Pence advanced to third with no outs. Zambrano retired Lance Berkman on a infield pop-up but Geoff Blum grounded into a 4-1 fielder's choice that plated Pence with the tying run.

Carlos Zambrano retired the side in order in the eighth to complete his night.

Angel Guzman had not allowed an earned run since May 9 ... until Wednesday night. Miguel Tejada led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to center. Hunter Pence was given a gift on the fifth pitch of his at bat and walked after first base umpire Ed Rapuano indicated he did not swing at a 3-1 pitch.

Carlos Lee flied out to center on a 1-0 pitch, Tejada tagged and advanced to third. Guzman intentionally walked Lance Berkman to load the bases with one-out. Geoff Blum came through again and knocked a clean single into center on a 1-2 pitch from Guzman. Tejada scored easily and the Astros celebrated near first base.

The Cubs offense was once again a no-show. Wandy Rodriguez labored through seven innings but they managed just five hits and two walks off the Astros' southpaw. Geovany Soto hit his third home run of the year (and his second in three games) off Rodriguez in the second that accounted for the Cubs only run ... three of the Cubs' five hits off Rodriguez did not make it out of the infield.

The Cubs finished the night 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base ... in the last three games the Cubs have stranded 38 baserunners.

The Cubs lost a very winnable game but still have a chance to pick up their second road series win in a row on Thursday...

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Astros - 06/10/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:30:00 PDT

Game Fifty-Six: Cubs (29-26) vs. Astros (25-31)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 186
Location - Minute Maid Park, Houston

Carlos Zambrano (4-2, 3.72/1.40) vs. Wandy Rodriguez (5-5, 2.97/1.31)

Can Lou Piniella's crew make it three in a row? After announcing he will retire at the end of his current contract, Carlos Zambrano will make his second start of the road trip tonight against Wandy Rodriguez. Most think Zambrano is too competitive to hang it up in the next five to six years and blew off his comments following a terrific start against the Reds.

Aaron Miles was activated from the 15-day DL and Jake Fox was optioned to Iowa on Tuesday night.

Tonight might be a good time to give Alfonso Soriano a breathier. While the Cubs were off on Monday, Soriano has horrible career numbers (1-for-12 with two walks) against Wandy Rodriguez and they have only two more off days before the All-Star break. With Jake Fox out of the picture Soriano will likely be in left field and hitting leadoff for Lou Piniella.

Somehow, someway the Cubs enter play tonight tied for second place in the NL Central with the Reds and Cardinals ... just 2 1/2 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Aramis Ramirez Update: Aramis Ramirez took soft grounders and swings in the cage with a fungo bat before Tuesday's game. The Cubs are hoping he can hit with a regular bat soon. This is positive news...

From the Wire...Miles Activated and Fox Optioned to Iowa

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:04:40 PDT

According to a report from the Tribune following Tuesday night's win in Houston, the Cubs optioned Jake Fox to Triple-A Iowa. The roster move makes room for Aaron Miles to return from the 15-day DL on Wednesday.

Bottoms Up! - Cubs 7 Astros 1

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:38:08 PDT

Game Fifty-Five - Cubs 7 Astros 1
WP - Ted Lilly (7-4) LP - Brian Moehler (2-4) Save - None

Lou Piniella's crew improved to 6-2 on the season against the Astros with an impressive win on Tuesday night. The Cubs offense came out swinging against Brian Moehler and staked Ted Lilly to a 3-0 lead before he threw his first pitch.

The Cubs scored five runs in the first three innings, seven on the night and tied a season-high with 16 hits to go along with eight walks. While the Cubs scored more than enough to back 'The Bulldog', they left 16 on base and were 6-for-19 with runners in scoring position ... after starting the game 4-for-5.

Ted Lilly pitched another gem against a very good offensive team. Lilly did not allow his second hit of the game until the sixth inning ... a two-out single by Miguel Tejada. Lilly tossed 6 2/3 of shutout ball and allowed only three hits with two walks and four strikeouts ... on a season-high 114 pitches. Lilly improved to 3-0 against the Astros on the year and even got into the act offensively. Lilly led off the second with his first career triple and scored the Cubs fourth run of the game.

The Cubs offense clicked on all cylinders for the most part on Tuesday night. Mike Fontenot recorded four hits in five trips to the plate on his 29th birthday, scored a pair of runs and hit his sixth home run of the season. Kosuke Fukudome reached base five times with two hits, two walks and a fielder's choice. Fukudome drove in the game's first run and recorded two RBI on the night.

The bottom of the Cubs lineup was the difference against the Astros on Tuesday night. Mike Fontenot (4-for-5 with a RBI, a double, a home run and two runs scored), Geovany Soto (3-for-5 with a RBI) and Andres Blanco (2-for-4 with a double, a walk and two RBI) were a combined 9-for-14 with two doubles, a home run, a walk, two runs scored and four RBI.

Milton Bradley was not in the original lineup but talked his way onto the field following batting practice. Bradley finished the night a dismal 0-for-6 with three strikeouts, a broken bat and grounded into a double play while leaving a total of ten runners on base. As bad as Bradley was at the plate he made a terrific diving catch in the bottom of the ninth for the first out of the inning with his team up 7-0.

Aaron Heilman put together one of his better outings of the year. Heilman gave up a hit to go along with two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings of work. Heilman threw the ball extremely well and of the 16 pitches he tossed, 13 were for strikes.

Sean Marshall pitched the ninth in what appears to be his new role out of the pen. Lance Berkman hit his 11th homer of the season with one-out that accounted for the Astros' only run...and broke up the shutout.

The Cubs improved to three games over .500 with their second win a row...and the fourth in their last five.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Astros - 06/09/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:45:00 PDT

Game Fifty-Five: Cubs (28-26) vs. Astros (25-30)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast Sports Net - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location - Minute Maid Park, Houston

Ted Lilly (6-4, 3.28/1.08) vs. Brian Moehler (2-3, 6.37/1.61)

The Cubs will get back to work tonight against a hot Houston Astros' team. While the Cubs have won six of their last 10, the Astros have posted a victory in seven of their last 10...the Cubs lead the season series with the Astros, 5-2. Due to the always-questionable MLB schedule, the Cubs open their last series of the season in Houston tonight...on June 9. The Cubs have seven more games, all at Wrigley, against the Astros this year.

Lou Piniella's crew has found a way to win three of the last four and seven of their last 11 despite playing not-so-good baseball. The Cubs are 3-2 on their current eight-game road trip with three left before heading home to start their Interleague schedule on Friday against the Twins.

After pinch-hitting twice over the weekend in Cincinnati, Milton Bradley is expected back in the Cubs starting lineup tonight. Bradley's season must start at game number 55. Bradley has been talked about in recent weeks as being the worst signing of the off-season and has shown signs of starting to hit the ball. It is time for Mr. Bradley to quit looking around and start hitting the ball...and most importantly, producing runs.

Tonight is a rematch of the third game of the year...Ted Lilly against Brian Moehler. Lilly served up four home runs that night but the Cubs roughed up Moehler in less than two innings. But that was then and this is now and tonight it all starts with Ted Lilly.

Milton Bradley: As Seen on TV

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:30:00 PDT

Many questioned the signing of Milton Bradley when the Cubs made the deal official on January 8. The Cubs were looking for a way to balance out their lineup and were willing to take a risk on a player with all of the talent to take them to the next level, but with a history that might not let that happen.

Bradley made all of the right statements before, during and after the Cubs Convention. It appeared he had finally taken the steps in his maturation process to become the baseball player that many always thought he had the ability to be...especially after his 2008 season.

The Cubs spoke highly of Bradley throughout the winter and repeatedly told the story of how he courted the Cubs and even Jim Hendry made a big deal about pointing that out back in January.

Spring Training began and other than a delay at the beginning of an extremely long stay in Arizona, Milton Bradley hit the cover off the ball and appeared to be on the right track to helping the Cubs win games when the year began.

Once the season started Bradley did not hit, then the injuries started piling up, seemingly one after the other. And the fears that the oft-injured Milton Bradley would spend most of the year in the dugout started to be realized.

After 54 games the Cubs are not playing good ball, despite being two games over .500. The Cubs once high-scoring offense has gone south due to several factors and one of them is Milton Bradley. As was pointed out over the weekend, individual numbers in the game of baseball can be blown out of proportion, but it is the team's win-loss record that matters at the end of the day.

CCO Radio...Talkin' Cubs Following a Trip to the Queen City

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:55:00 PDT

After playing four extra innings games in the last five (2-2), the Cubs are 3-2 on their current eight-game road trip and will spend a scheduled off day in Houston. The CCO Radio returns for a Monday edition before the Cubs open their last three game series of the year at Minute Maid Park.

Need your daily Cubs' fix? Call the CCO Radio tonight and discuss the Cubs 28-26 record, winning despite not hitting with runners on base and 'the Struggles of Soriano'.

Cubs Down on the Farm Report - 06/08/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Here is your end of the week update for our Young Cubs. Tyler Colvin has been doing well for Tennessee since his call up (hitting .316 in 8 games) and the Smokies finally ended their losing streak. They now have a three-game winning streak and hopefully the entire team is done being in an offensive slump.

The Chiefs also had a winning streak this week that ran all the way up to six games. So if there is one thing that could be said about the Cubs and their minor league system it is that they are all very streaky teams that will go through spells without enough offense.

Rich Harden's rehab start for the I-Cubs was pushed from Sunday to Monday due to stomach bug. Harden is penciled in to start for the Cubs against the Twins on Saturday at Wrigley.

Thanks for reading and as always you can check out my site at YoungCubsWorld.com for daily updates.

A Win is a Win - Cubs 6 Reds 3

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:12:49 PDT

Game Fifty-Four - Cubs 6 Reds 3 - 14 innings
WP - David Patton (2-1) LP - Mike Lincoln (1-1) Save - Angel Guzman (1)

After fourteen innings and five hours and thirteen minutes the Cubs improved to 3-4 in extra inning contests...and evened the season series with the Reds at three games each.

Neither the Cubs nor the Reds played a good game and both wasted countless opportunities to end the game before the 14th inning. The Cubs finished 4-for-21 with runners in scoring position and left 15 on base...while the Reds were 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 16 on base.

Alfonso Soriano stepped into the box to start the 14th with the game tied at three. Before the 14th Soriano had a horrible afternoon and series. Soriano posted a 0-for-5 effort with a walk and a strikeout and had managed only two hits in the entire series. After using every other pitcher available, Dusty Baker inserted Mike Lincoln and Lincoln tried to get ahead of Alfonso Soriano with a fastball. Soriano launched it into the stands in right center and broke up the tie with his 14th longball of the season.

The Cubs tacked on two more off Lincoln in the 14th to put the game away. Ryan Theriot (3-for-6 with two runs scored, a home run, a walk and a RBI) singled and Kosuke Fukudome walked. Derrek Lee popped out to right but Theriot tagged and advanced to third. Mike Fontenot then hit a ball into the hole at short, Fontenot reached on an infield single and Theriot scored the Cubs fifth run. Reed Johnson doubled to left on a 1-2 pitch and plated Fukudome with the game's final run.

What does Randy Wells have to do to earn a win? Wells put together another excellent outing and allowed only two runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings with a walk and four strikeouts. Wells even singled and scored the Cubs third run in the third inning. Wells left with a 3-2 lead in the seventh after surrendering his second run on a sacrifice fly to Jerry Hairston, Jr.

Jason Waddell retired Chris Dickerson to end the seventh and preserve the win for Wells.

Carlos Marmol took the mound in the eighth and walked the first two batters he faced on eleven pitches, three for strikes. Lou Piniella wasted no time after Marmol's second free pass and brought in Aaron Heilman up by just one run with two on and no outs.

Ramon Hernandez dropped down a sacrifice bunt that ended up loading the bases on an appeared blown call by third base umpire Dale Scott. Jonny Gomes followed with a sacrifice fly to center that tied the game at three. Aaron Heilman issued an intentional free pass to Alex Gonzalez to reload the bases...with one out.

Aaron Heilman struck out Ryan Hanigan swinging and retired Willy Taveras on a tap back to the mound to end the inning. Heilman was credited with a blown save but he pitched out of a huge mess created by Carlos Marmol and gave his team a chance to win.

While the Cubs bullpen allowed a bunch of runners over the last six innings of the game, they did not allow one to cross the plate. Kevin Gregg retired the side in order in the ninth and Jose Ascanio tossed three innings of scoreless ball with three strikeouts.

David Patton picked up his second Major League win after giving up a leadoff single to Ryan Hanigan in the thirteenth inning. Willy Taveras sacrificed the winning run to second but Patton struck out Paul Janish for the second out. Patton walked Chris Dickerson with two outs that brought up the Reds' best hitter with runners in scoring position.

David Patton quickly got ahead of Brandon Phillips 0-2 before retiring the Reds' second baseman on a lineout to right.

Angel Guzman picked up his first career professional save after allowing a leadoff single to Laynce Nix in the fourteenth. Guzman struck out a pair and might have caused a closer controversy on the North Side of Chicago.

Ryan Theriot hit his first career home run outside of Wrigley Field that gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead in the first off of Bronson Arroyo. Derrek Lee ended the Cubs hitless streak with runners in scoring position (0-for-21) with a two-out, two-run single to center in the third.

Winning is the number one objective for any professional team and despite all of the bad baseball the Cubs have won seven of their last 11 after the eight-game losing streak. It might be ugly, but right now Lou Piniella's crew is finding a way to get the job done...

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Reds - 06/07/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 09:00:00 PDT

Game Fifty-Four: Cubs (27-26) vs. Reds (29-26)
Game Time - 12:10pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati

Randy Wells (0-2, 1.69/0.97) vs. Bronson Arroyo (7-4, 5.37/1.39)

The Cubs will try to win the rubber match of the series today behind Randy Wells. The Reds have won three of the first five match-ups of the season...a win today would not only even the season series with the Reds but it would keep the Cubs from dipping down to the .500 mark again.

Alfonso Soriano needs a day off. He was favoring his knee on Saturday night and is not helping his team right now. Soriano is marred in a slump and his defense that is questionable at best on a good day, is a step above below average right now. When Soriano is hot he can carry a team, right now he is as cold as he has been in his two plus years with the Cubs.

After catching eleven innings on Saturday night Geovany Soto will likely get the day off with the early start....expect to see Koyie Hill behind the plate and hopefully Micah Hoffpauir in left.

Rich Harden will make a rehab start for Iowa today. Aaron Miles played third for the I-Cubs on Saturday and was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

But today is all about getting Randy Wells his first big league win...and winning a series on the road.

Updated - 11:46am C.T. - Rich Harden Scratched from Rehab Start

According to a report from the Tribune, Rich Harden did not make his scheduled rehab start for the Iowa Cubs on Sunday...the Cubs have not made an official announcement. Harden was slated to return from the DL on Friday to face the Twins...but that is unlikely at this point.

Updated - 11:52 am C.T. - Harden's Rehab Start Moved to Monday

According to a report from the Sun-Times, Rich Harden has a "stomach bug" and his rehab start was moved to Monday. Harden is slated to start on Saturday against the Twins.

Extra Frustrating - Cubs 3 Reds 4

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:18:41 PDT

Game Fifty-Three - Cubs 3 Reds 4 - 11 innings
WP - Nick Masset (3-0) LP - Sean Marshall (3-5) Save - None

For the third time in the last four games Lou Piniella's crew 'played' into extra innings and came out on the losing end on Saturday night in Cincinnati. The Cubs once again had plenty of chances to put the game away early on against a rookie pitcher making his big league debut. The Cubs managed only two runs, both solo home runs, off of Matt Maloney in six plus innings and finished the night 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

The Cubs played a horrible game defensively. While Mike Fontenot was not given his second error of the night on the play that ended the game, an accurate throw could have prevented the winning run from scoring. Mike Fontenot's error in the first inning led to three unearned runs and a huge hole the Cubs struggling offense spent the entire evening trying to dig out of.

The Cubs defense played a big role in the loss. While Chris Dickerson spent the night catching every ball he could dive for, Mike Fontenot and Alfonso Soriano allowed the Reds to put pressure on the Cubs' pitching staff for a majority of the game.

Sean Marshall, in a game he was scheduled to start, picked up the loss after walking Jay Bruce to start the 11th inning. Marshall then uncorked a wild pitch with Alex Gonzalez at the plate that allowed Bruce to advance. Gonzalez sacrificed him to third and the Cubs intentionally walked Ryan Hanigan. Pinch-hitter Adam Rosales hit a chopper up the third base line that Fontenot made a good play on but his throw was high and pulled Geovany Soto out of position. Jay Bruce scored standing and Dusty Baker celebrated.

The Cubs offense until the eighth inning consisted of solo home runs by Bobby Scales and Geovany Soto. Scales put the Cubs on the board in the fourth inning with his third of the year...one pitch after Reed Johnson was thrown out at third by Chris Dickerson trying to advance on a fly out to center on a ball hit by Geovany Soto.

Geovany Soto hit his second home run of the season in the seventh that chased Maloney from the game.

Jake Fox made his first start of the year in right field and tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the eighth. Ryan Theriot reached on a one-out single off of David Weathers. With Theriot running, Derrek Lee recorded his second hit of the game, a single to left. Fox then hit a sinking liner into left center that Chris Dickerson made his second diving catch of the game to take a hit away from the Cubs. Theriot tagged and scored just ahead of another strong throw from the Reds' centerfielder.

Ryan Dempster for the most part pitched a decent game. Dempster struggled with his command from time to time but the defense behind him did not do their job...all three runs the Reds scored in the first inning were unearned. Dempster gave up six hits in six innings with two walks and seven strikeouts.

The turning point in the game came in the first inning. Alfonso Soriano led off with a ringing double down the left field line, his only hit of the game (1-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts). Matt Maloney hit Ryan Theriot as he squared to bunt. Chris Dickerson then robbed Derrek Lee of a single into left center with his first diving catch of the night.

With Jake Fox at the plate and one out, Lou Piniella called for a double steal. Ryan Hanigan threw to second and Ryan Theriot was called out on a very close play. Theriot was infuriated and Mike Quade quickly separated the Cubs shortstop from second base umpire Damien Beal. Quade argued and Lou Piniella said a few words. The bottom line was the Cubs went from a possible second and third with one out against a rookie pitcher to runner on third with two outs. Jake Fox flied out to deep center two pitches later.

The Cubs looked incredibly flat and uninterested on a beautiful night for baseball at Great American Ball Park.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Reds - 06/06/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:30:00 PDT

Game Fifty-Three: Cubs (27-25) vs. Reds (28-26)
Game Time - 6:10pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 188
Location - Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati

Ryan Dempster (4-3, 4.48/1.27) vs. Matt Maloney (0-0, -.--/-.--)

Can the Cubs make it three road wins in a row? Lou Piniella's crew will face a rarity tonight in Cincinnati. With Edinson Volquez placed on the 15-day DL Tuesday with right elbow tendonitis, the Reds will call-up lefty Matt Maloney to take his place in the rotation. Maloney will be the first left-handed starter used by the Reds this season...and only the second in the Reds last 236 games.

Maloney was 4-3 in 10 starts for Triple-A Louisville with a 2.00 ERA...in 67 1/3 innings he has recorded 58 strikeouts. The Cubs offense must make him work tonight. The scouting report indicates Maloney is always around the strike zone but they must be patient with the rookie in his big league debut.

Sean Marshall was originally slated to start tonight but was sent to the bullpen instead for the weekend...and more than likely beyond. With the rainout on Thursday night in Atlanta, Lou Piniella was able to push Ryan Dempster back and give him an extra day...and in turn put Sean Marshall in the pen for the foreseeable future.

Look for Geovany Soto to be back in the starting lineup tonight. Reports indicated Soto would likely return despite his struggles and the Cubs 9-5 record in games started by Koyie Hill.

Reports on Friday night indicated Jake Fox could get the start in right field tonight. With the southpaw on the Hill for the Reds, the Cubs outfield should consist of Alfonso Soriano, Reed Johnson and Jake Fox.

On the injury front, Aaron Miles is expected to make a rehab start tonight for the Iowa Cubs...and Rich Harden is slated to make a rehab start with Iowa on Sunday. Miles is eligible to return from the DL on June 10 in Houston.

But tonight all starts with Ryan Dempster...

Z with the O for Win Number One Zero Zero - Cubs 2 Reds 1

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:24:26 PDT

Game Fifty-Two - Cubs 2 Reds 1
WP - Carlos Zambrano (4-2) LP - Micah Owings (3-7) Save - Kevin Gregg (10)

Friday night in the Queen City was all about Carlos Zambrano. In his first start in eight days Carlos Zambrano earned his fourth win of the season...and the 100th of his career. Carlos Zambrano became the 21st pitcher in the history of the organization to reach the milestone in a Cubs' uniform. Zambrano joined Ferguson Jenkins, Greg Maddux and Rick Reuschel as only the fourth pitcher to post 100 wins in a Cubs' uniform in the last 50 years. Only three pitchers have posted more victories than Big Z since 2003...Johan Santana, Roy Oswalt and Roy Halladay.

Zambrano struggled with his command throughout the night but was effectively wild. Zambrano threw 6 2/3 shutout innings and allowed only two hits but walked five to go along with seven strikeouts. The Reds offense did not manage their first hit off Zambrano until the fifth inning.

When Carlos hits, Carlos wins and the statement held true on Friday night. Zambrano's second home run of the year ended up being the difference in the game. Micah Owings struck out a left handed hitting Carlos Zambrano in the second inning, so when Zambrano went to the plate in the fifth he decided to hit from the other side.

A right-handed hitting Carlos Zambrano tattooed the first pitch from Micah Owings to start the fifth over the wall in right center. Zambrano's 18th career longball gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead.

The Cubs offense struggled once again on Friday night. A bases loaded, two-out walk by Mike Fontenot forced in Ryan Theriot with the game's first run. The Cubs left nine on base and finished the night 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Angel Guzman cleaned up Carlos Zambrano's mess in the seventh by retiring Jonny Gomes on a ground out to short. Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg struggled once again and the end of the game was very reminiscent of a game earlier in the week.

Carlos Marmol walked two more batters and Alfonso Soriano misplayed a liner to left center off the bat of Brandon Phillips into a triple. Marmol gave up the Reds only run and once again struggled with his command. After Friday night, Marmol has issued 25 free passes in 26 innings.

Kevin Gregg retired the first two batters he faced but gave up a pinch-hit single to center to Ryan Hanigan on a 3-2 pitch. Jerry Hairston, Jr. worked the count to 3-2 then swung and missed at strike three in the dirt. The wild pitch got past Koyie Hill, Hairston reached and pinch runner Wilkin Castillo advanced all the way to third. Gregg missed on the first offering to Chris Dickerson before inducing a game ending pop out to Mike Fontenot.

The Cubs posted back-to-back wins on the road for the first time since May 6 and May 7 in Houston...and in the process improved to two games over .500 on the season. As many have noted, including Lou Piniella, it is never easy.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Reds - 06/05/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:45:00 PDT

Game Fifty-Two: Cubs (26-25) vs. Reds (28-25)
Game Time - 6:10pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet/MLB Network - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati

Carlos Zambrano (3-2, 4.22/1.45) vs. Micah Owings (3-6, 5.10/1.57)

After spending two and a half hours waiting for Thursday's game to be postponed, the Cubs boarded a chartered flight and headed north to the Queen City...and likely beat the Reds to Cincinnati. Dusty Baker's team split a four-game series in St. Louis and lost the finale on Thursday night, 3-1. The Brewers swept the Reds in Milwaukee last weekend... the Reds have lost five of their last seven games

Carlos Zambrano will try once again for his 100th win in a Cubs' uniform tonight...and as mentioned in Thursday's game preview, it is time for Carlos Zambrano to grow up. The Cubs are paying him 'ace' money and it is past time for him to pitch to his ability and talent. If the Cubs are to play past game 162, they will need Carlos Zambrano to take the next step in the maturation process.

The Cubs will face a very good Reds team for the next three games. Even with Joey Votto (placed on 15-day DL on May 30 with stress related issues), Edwin Encarnacion and Edinson Volquez (placed on 15-day DL on June 2 with tendonitis in his right elbow) all on the shelf, they are playing very good ball right now. The Reds are ahead of the Cubs in the standings by a full game (but even in the loss column). The Reds are better on the road (15-13) than at home (13-12) while the Cubs are 10-15 away from Wrigley Field.

Geovany Soto reportedly voiced his displeasure to Lou Piniella about not being in the starting lineup for the second day in a row on Thursday. Koyie Hill was slated to catch Carlos Zambrano in Atlanta and should stick with that plan again tonight. Soto is struggling both offensively and defensively and maybe sitting for a couple of days will light a fire under the former Rookie of the Year.

Milton Bradley will be out of the lineup this weekend but should be available to pinch-hit. The Cubs are expecting Bradley back in the starting lineup in the series against the Astros that begins on Tuesday.

Ramirez to Begin Baseball Activities

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:01:00 PDT

According to a report in the Chicago Tribune Thursday night, Aramis Ramirez will resume baseball activities this weekend in Cincinnati. Reports earlier in the week indicated Ramirez would not resume baseball activities until the team returned home on June 12.

While it still may be more than a month before Ramirez is back in the starting lineup, at least the Cubs most productive hitter appears to be making progress.

Cubs-Braves Game Postponed

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:29:22 PDT

The Cubs and Braves game was officially postponed due to inclement weather at 8:28pm C.T. No word on when the game will be rescheduled...an official announcement will come at a later date.

The Cubs open an important three-game series in Cincinnati on Friday night. Ryan Dempster was slated to face Micah Owings in the opener. Sean Marshall is scheduled to go on Saturday with Randy Wells facing Bronson Arroyo on Sunday.

Look for Lou Piniella to start Carlos Zambrano on Friday, push Ryan Dempster to Saturday and throw Randy Wells on Sunday...with Sean Marshall going to the bullpen for the weekend.

Updated - 8:47pm C.T. - Game Rescheduled for June 22

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Braves - 06/04/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:45:00 PDT

Game Fifty-Two: Cubs (26-25) vs. Braves (26-26)
Game Time - 6:00pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet/MLB Network - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 175
Location - Turner Field, Atlanta

Carlos Zambrano (3-2, 4.22/1.45) vs. Jair Jurrjens (5-2, 2.59/1.23)

The Cubs will hopefully receive a boost with the return of Carlos Zambrano to the hill tonight. The Cubs number one pitcher has been out for the last six games serving a suspension for his actions on May 27. The team he is supposed to be a leader of needs him to step up tonight.

A report from Bruce Levine indicated Carlos Zambrano disrespected his teammates when he missed the flight to Atlanta on Monday. The Cubs must have an effective Carlos Zambrano to play past game 162.

With the extra innings contests over the last two days, not only is it imperative that the 'good' Zambrano show up but that he throws strikes, keeps his pitch count low and goes at least seven. The bullpen is taxed and needs a break before facing the Reds.

It is past time for Carlos Zambrano to grow up and put his team first. Zambrano must realize that no one is perfect on a baseball field...not even him.

Milton Bradley had a MRI on his strained calf on Wednesday. Lou Piniella sounded a little disgusted when asked about Bradley prior to Wednesday night's game. According to the Tribune, "the MRI machine reportedly broke during the exam, forcing a second test to be taken. But it turned out the person being tested before him was suffering from claustrophobia." The Cubs are planning to wait to place Bradley on the DL and he may be back in the lineup this weekend against the Reds. Why won't the Cubs place Milton Bradley on the DL?

And for the record, Jon Heyman said if Raul Ibanez is the best signing of the off-season so far, Milton Bradley looks like the worst.

Geovany Soto is expected to be out of the starting lineup again tonight and it might be a good time to give Alfonso Soriano a breathier. Soriano is not hitting and is obviously hurting. Micah Hoffpauir, Reed Johnson and Kosuke Fukudome are getting the job done right now.

The Braves should get a big boost to their lineup tonight with the addition of Nate McLouth. The Pirates gave their All-Star centerfielder to the Braves on Wednesday night.

Cubs Down of the Farm Report - 06/04/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Here is your mid-week update for our Young Cubs. Unlike last week, this week has been very calm and the offenses of pretty much all the teams have been quiet. The Smokies have now lost 11 in a row and they are quickly falling way out of contention at 9.5 games back. Tony Thomas has seen his average fall over 70 points in just the past two weeks, but pretty much everyone in Tennessee has stopped hitting of late.

Don't forget that you can check out my site at YoungCubsWorld.com for daily updates of the big performers.

An Angel in the Bullpen - Cubs 3 Braves 2

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:41:12 PDT

Game Fifty-One - Cubs 3 Braves 2 - 11 innings
WP - Angel Guzman (2-0) LP - Jeff Bennett (2-3) Save - Kevin Gregg (9)

The Cubs and Braves played free baseball for the second night in a row...with a much better outcome. Lou Piniella's crew ended their two-game losing streak and seven-game road losing streak with their second extra innings win of the season (2-3).

Micah Hoffpauir delivered the game winner in the 11th inning...a pinch-hit, opposite field single on a 2-2 pitch from southpaw Eric O'Flaherty. But it was Derrek Lee that set up and scored the game-winning run.

Derrek Lee (2-for-3 with a run scored and two walks) worked a walk off of Jeff Bennett to start the inning. Mike Fontenot attempted to bunt him to second but ended up fouling out to left. Lee tagged from first, caught Matt Diaz off guard and advanced into scoring position. Reed Johnson followed with a single to left past a diving Chipper Jones. Lee had to hold but advanced to third.

Bobby Cox brought in the left-hander to face Micah Hoffpauir and he delivered once again.

After a brutal night for the Cubs' pen on Tuesday, they tossed four scoreless innings in relief of Ted Lilly. Carlos Marmol retired the side in order in the eighth with a strikeout and no walks. Kevin Gregg sat the Braves down in order in the 11th for his ninth save of the season...but it was Angel Guzman that shinned on Wednesday night.

Angel Guzman tossed two scoreless innings and in the process earned his second career big league victory. Guzman was dominating at times and displayed some rare emotion when he struck out Chipper Jones looking to start the tenth. Guzman worked around an infield single to start the bottom of the ninth and faced the minimum in his two innings of work.

Ted Lilly pitched another great game, arguably his best on the road this season. Lilly allowed only two runs, one earned, on six hits in seven innings with a walk and seven strikeouts. Lilly allowed only two baserunners to reach through the first five and gave his team another quality start when they needed it most.

While the Cubs struggled with the fundamentals of the game again, they showed a lot of character in bouncing back from Tuesday night's loss.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Braves - 06/03/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:30:00 PDT

Game Fifty-One: Cubs (25-25) vs. Braves (26-25)
Game Time - 6:00pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - Turner Field, Atlanta

Ted Lilly (6-4, 3.50/1.09) vs. Derek Lowe (6-3, 3.49/1.21)

Game number 51 of 162 will tell a lot about the character of this edition of the Chicago Cubs. After their worst loss of the year, how will Lou Piniella's crew respond on the road against a pitcher they have struggled mightily against in the past?

The extra-inning loss to the Braves on Tuesday night taxed an already bad bullpen. It will be up to Ted Lilly to put together his best start away from Wrigley if the Cubs are to beat Derek Lowe...and they will likely have to do it without Milton Bradley.

The Cubs right fielder strained his right calf in the fourth inning on Tuesday night and is listed as day-to-day. Lou Piniella needs to put a lineup on the field of players that are producing, instead of the same starting eight that is not getting the job done. It is no longer early, and it is a far cry from being late in the season....but it is time for the Chicago Cubs to start playing winning baseball.

A Brutal Loss for the Chicago Cubs - Cubs 5 Braves 6

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:47:46 PDT

Game Fifty - Cubs 5 Braves 6 - 12 innings
WP - Rafael Soriano (1-0) LP - Aaron Heilman (2-3) Save - None

While Aaron Heilman was credited with the loss on Tuesday night, he was not the sole reason the Chicago Cubs are 25-25 after 50 games of the season. Baseball is a team game, but this loss must be hung on the Cubs pathetic bullpen.

Randy Wells pitched an incredible game and even drove in the Cubs' second run with his first career big league hit in the second inning. Wells dominated the Braves and took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Wells retired the first two batters of the seventh before giving up a clean opposite field hit to Chipper Jones. Wells got out of the inning and took the hill in the eighth up by a score of 5-0.

Randy Wells surrendered his second hit of the game to Garrett Anderson on a 1-1 pitch to start the eighth. Anderson hit a line drive homer, his second of the season, over the wall in right for the Braves first run. Martin Prado then reached on an error by Derrek Lee. Prado hit a routine groundball to Ryan Theriot who fielded the ball cleanly and made a low but accurate throw...Lee just dropped the ball.

Lou Piniella decided that was enough for Randy Wells. Wells departed after throwing only 83 pitches and allowing one run on two hits with four strikeouts in seven-plus innings..

Carlos Marmol was summoned and could not find the strike zone. The free-swinging Jeff Francoeur walked on four pitches. Kosuke Fukudome made a great diving catch in right to take a hit away from Gregor Blanco for the first out of the inning. Marmol then hit pinch-hitter Greg Norton to load the bases.

Marmol walked Kelly Johnson to force in the Braves second run then surrendered a sacrifice fly to Yunel Escobar that cut the Cubs comfortable 5-0 lead to a 5-3 advantage.

Kevin Gregg took the mound in the ninth and retired Brian McCann on a fly out to left on a 3-2 pitch. Garrett Anderson then swung and missed at strike three, but the ball in the dirt got away from Geovany Soto and rolled all the way to the backstop. Anderson reached first easily and brought the tying run to the plate.

On a 0-1 pitch, Martin Prado flied out to center for the second out of the inning.

Jeff Francoeur then launched a 2-1 pitch from Kevin Gregg over the wall in left center and tied the game at five. Gregg's pitch was right down main street with no movement whatsoever.

The Cubs offense could not gear it back up after the let down and Randy Wells was handed a no decision after a dominating performance.

In a game that began with Alfonso Soriano's first home run since May 17 that put him into sole possession of second place on the All-Time leadoff home run list with 54...27 behind the leader Ricky Henderson, the feeling at the end when Chipper Jones hit the game winner off Aaron Heilman was of total frustration and utter defeat.

During a baseball season there are positives that can be found even in losses, but not on Tuesday night in Atlanta. The Cubs' bullpen turned the entire night into the team's worst loss of the year...and it is up to Lou Piniella to not allow the loss to carry over throughout the road trip.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Braves - 06/02/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:30:00 PDT

Game Fifty: Cubs (25-24) vs. Braves (25-25)
Game Time - 6:00pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - Turner Field, Atlanta

Randy Wells (0-2, 1.80/1.16) vs. Kenshin Kawakami (3-6, 4.73/1.50)

The Cubs open an important nine-game road trip tonight with the first of three against the Braves. The Cubs have struggled mightily on the road this season and will spend a majority of June away from Wrigley Field. The Cubs have lost nine of their last 10 road games, including seven straight...for the season, 9-14 in 23 road games compared to a 16-10 record at Wrigley.

One of the many reasons is the fact the Cubs' big bats are not hitting away from Wrigley. If the Cubs are going to have a successful third month of the season Derrek Lee (.196/.258/.286 with a home run and two doubles), Milton Bradley (.188/.325/.313 with two home runs and two doubles) and Alfonso Soriano (.221/.265/.547 with nine home runs and four doubles) must start producing.

Will Bobby Cox go head hunting over the next three games with Alfonso Soriano? The Cubs left fielder loves playing against the Braves (.353/.410/.747 with a 1.156 OPS with 15 home runs and 10 doubles in 36 games). The past two seasons Cox has had his pitchers throw up and in on Soriano. In 2007, Tim Hudson tagged Soriano on Saturday after he hit three homers the night before...then last season Cox had Jeff Bennett go up and in and the inexperienced pitcher broke Soriano's hand.

Alfonso Soriano is supposed to be out of today's lineup...but it will be interesting to see if he talks his way onto the field.

It is very important to start the trip on a positive note, especially with Derek Lowe and Jair Jurrjens going for the Braves on Wednesday and Thursday.

From the CCO Inbox - 06/02/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:30:00 PDT

With the Cubs on the road for the next ten days and as they prepare to begin a three-game series in Atlanta, it seems like the right time to empty out the CCO Inbox and pass along information we have received over the last month.

So while Lou contemplates whether to stay with the hot hand of Reed Johnson and give Alfonso Soriano the night off...here is the latest from the inbox.

CCO Radio...Talkin' Cubs on the First Day of June

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:15:00 PDT

After splitting the four-game series over the weekend with the Dodgers, the Cubs have a scheduled day off before beginning an important nine-game road trip with stops in Atlanta, Cincinnati and Houston. The CCO Radio returns for a Monday edition before the first of three against Bobby Cox and the Braves on Tuesday night.

Need your daily Cubs' fix? Call the CCO Radio tonight and discuss the Cubs 25-24 record, the crazy month of May and the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cubs Down on the Farm Report - 06/01/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PDT

Here is your end of the week update from the Cubs' Minor League System. Josh Vitters continues to hit home runs and he is now up to 13 on the year for the Chiefs. If you check out the transaction log you will see that Tyler Colvin was called up to Tennessee from Daytona on Sunday.

Andrew Cashner started Sunday and went four innings without giving up a run...Cashner walked just one, so his control has been greatly improved over the past two starts.

The Smokies had the worst end of the week of the season; they are on an eight-game losing streak and had to play seven games in the span of four days with three double-headers. The worst part of this streak is that the losses have come at the hands of their division leader the Hunstville Stars, so the Smokies have lost eight games in the standings.

The Cubs also released Richie Robnett over the weekend. Robnett was put on waivers earlier in the spring and removed from the 40-man roster. Robnett was acquired in the deal with the Oakland A's for Michael Wuertz and is no longer in the Cubs' system.

Thanks for reading and as always you can check out my site at YoungCubsWorld.com for daily updates.

It All Started...and Ended with Sean Marshall - Cubs 2 Dodgers 8

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 31 May 2009 22:06:10 PDT

Game Forty-Nine - Cubs 2 Dodgers 8
WP - Eric Milton (2-0) LP - Sean Marshall (3-4) Save - None

A short time after finding out he would be returning to the bullpen after his next start, Sean Marshall barely made it out of the first inning. The first five Dodgers reached against Marshall and before the lefty could record the first out they had scored two runs. Sean Marshall allowed five runs in the first inning while David Patton spent half of the inning loosening in the Cubs' pen.

The Dodgers plated five runs on six hits in the first inning with only one extra base hit...a two-run double by Mark Loretta. Marshall departed with one out in the fifth after allowing eight runs, seven earned, on eight hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Marshall's worst outing of the year and one of his worst as a Cub.

The top of the first did in the Cubs and before Alfonso Soriano swung at the first pitch the Cubs were down 5-0. The Cubs' offense put a runner on in each of the first three innings but was unable to score any runs off of Eric Milton until the sixth inning.

Ryan Theriot and Milton Bradley reached on back-to-back singles with one out in the sixth. Eric Milton hit Derrek Lee to load the bases. Reed Johnson came through with a two-run double to right center.

Reed Johnson was the Cubs' offense on Sunday night...he finished the night 3-for-4 with a double, a walk and two RBI.

Ryan Theriot (2-for-4 with a run scored), Milton Bradley (1-for-4 with a run scored), Derrek Lee (1-for-3) and Geovany Soto (1-for-4) were the rest of the Cubs offense on Sunday night. The Cubs had chances but once again could not string together any hits. They finished the night 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base.

The Cubs earned a four-game split against the best team in the National League...and finished the month of May with a 15-13 record after winning four of their last six.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Dodgers - 05/31/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sun, 31 May 2009 15:00:00 PDT

Game Forty-Nine: Cubs (25-23) vs. Dodgers (34-17)
Game Time - 7:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: ESPN Sunday Night Baseball - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 175
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Sean Marshall (3-3, 3.70/1.28) vs. Eric Milton (1-0, 3.00/1.44)

Can Lou Piniella's crew build on the momentum created from Friday and Saturday's victories over the best team in the league? In order to do so they will have to be very patient against Eric Milton and make the veteran southpaw work...the former Red is trying to make another comeback and is coming off a win against the Colorado Rockies.

The Cubs will send their 'second lefty' to the hill tonight in search of his fourth win of the year. The Dodgers like facing southpaws and are 11-4 on the year against lefty starters. Sean Marshall must pick up where he left off against the Pirates, throw strikes and not fall behind in the count.

Lou Piniella announced on Saturday that Mike Fontenot would play exclusively at third base until Aramis Ramirez returns...that was evident on Saturday when Piniella started Fontenot against the left-handed Eric Stults. The Cubs feel Mike Fontenot is their best internal option to fill in while Ramirez is on the DL.

There have been several conflicting reports on the sale of the team over the past week. One said the deal was far from being done and that Sam Zell might have to explore other options...then reports in the last twenty-four hours have suggested the deal could be done soon with the Ricketts Family. Bottom line is, the sale of the Chicago Cubs must be completed as quickly as possible. The Cubs cannot add to their payroll according to Bruce Levine...Sam Zell will not give the approval and Tom Ricketts cannot legally give the go ahead to add to the payroll. So while the Cubs try to scratch out as many wins as possible, the sale of the Chicago National League Ballclub must be completed...and soon.

After beginning May with an 11-3 record, the Cubs are 15-12 over the last month with one more remaining on the schedule....

Dempster Delivers a Shutout of a Gem - Cubs 7 Dodgers 0

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:48:18 PDT

Game Forty-Eight - Cubs 7 Dodgers 0
WP - Ryan Dempster (4-3) LP - Eric Stults (4-2) Save - None

In front of the largest crowd of the year at Wrigley Field, Ryan Dempster pitched his best game of the season. Dempster tossed a three-hit, seven-inning shutout against the best offense in the National League. Dempster struck out five (four in a row in the third and fourth innings), walked one and did not allow the leadoff hitter to reach all afternoon. After the low-scoring, come from behind victory on Friday, Ryan Dempster turned in the type of performance his team needed.

Lou Piniella pulled Dempster after seven innings for precautionary reasons due to a blister he's been fighting. Dempster will be re-evaluated on Tuesday and might have to be pushed back a couple of days but will not miss his next start.

The Cubs played one of their better games of the year. Great starting pitching, a solid outing by the bullpen but most importantly...timely hitting. The Cubs were 3-for-9 on the day with runners in scoring position and scored their first two runs with two outs.

Reed Johnson and Mike Fontenot had huge days for the offense. While Milton Bradley finished the day 3-for-4 with a run scored, it was Fontenot and Johnson that was the difference.

Reed Johnson scored the Cubs first run after leading off the second inning with a single to left. With two outs and Mike Fontenot at the plate, Johnson stole second on the first pitch of the at bat. Fontenot ripped the next pitch from Eric Stults into right center...Johnson scored easily on Fontenot's first extra base hit of the game.

Eric Stults hit Ryan Theriot with one-out on a 1-2 pitch in the third inning. Milton Bradley singled Theriot to third and with two outs, Reed Johnson dropped a beautiful bunt up the third base line that plated Theriot with the game's second run.

Mike Fontenot drove in his second run of the game with a triple off the wall in right center that just missed leaving the park. Bobby Scales scored and two outs later, Ryan Theriot delivered a clutch single to left.

Reed Johnson hit his third home run of the year in the seventh off of Jeff Weaver. Johnson's blast ended up on Waveland and completed the Cubs' scoring on the afternoon.

Mike Fontenot (2-for-3 with a double, a triple, a walk, a run scored and two RBI) and Reed Johnson (3-for-3 with a home run, a walk, two runs scored and two RBI) gave their skipper the production from the bottom half of the lineup he's been looking for.

Ryan Dempster by far put together his best outing of the year...and the Cubs have won four of their last five games.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Dodgers - 05/30/09

neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:00:00 PDT

Game Forty-Eight: Cubs (24-23) vs. Dodgers (34-16)
Game Time - 3:10pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: FOX Saturday Baseball - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Ryan Dempster (3-3, 4.99/1.35) vs. Eric Stults (4-1, 4.29/1.50)

Did the Cubs learn how to win a low scoring game on Friday? Not only was the 2-1 defeat of the Dodgers their first win of the year in which they scored less than four runs (1-19); Friday marked the first time since early September of 2008 that Lou Piniella's crew posted a victory when they did not put at least a four-spot on the scoreboard. The Cubs team that was built to score runs in bunches simply is not getting it done right now. They were 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position in the first two games of the series without a single RBI...without Aramis Ramirez's stats figured in, the Cubs are hitting just .228 as a team this season with RISP.

Several of the players talked about how important Friday's low scoring win was...now it is time for them to build on it and realize sometimes it is the little things that win ballgames.

It was revealed a week or so ago that Alfonso Soriano is dealing with a sore left knee. Reports prior to Friday's game indicated that Soriano's knee was heavily wrapped and he was having trouble moving around the clubhouse. Soriano likes to play every day and should, when healthy.

Alfonso Soriano is struggling at the plate. He has only five hits in his last nine games (36 at bats) and his line for May is very concerning... 224/.267/.418/.685 with four doubles, five home runs, five walks and 26 strikeouts. With the off-day on Monday and two southpaws going for the Dodgers (Eric Milton on Sunday night) it might be a good time for Soriano to get some time off. The Cubs open a challenging nine-game road trip on Tuesday with the first of three in Atlanta...the Cubs travel to Cincinnati next weekend and finish up in Houston on June 11. The Cubs play only nine of their 26 games in June at Wrigley and the next month will be difficult enough without Aramis Ramirez...much less a healthy and productive Alfonso Soriano.

The Cubs cannot afford to lose Soriano for any length of time and maybe the next two days would give Jake Fox a little time in left to see if he can keep hitting big league pitching.

The Cubs will face a lefty starter for only the ninth time this season. They are 4-4 in the first eight and must be very patient against Eric Stults today. The offense will have plenty of opportunities as long as they do not swing early and often....