Cubs Take Series Behind Germano’s Gem
Not bad at all for a guy that was acquired in a deal that many people forgot about because it was well before the trade deadline, and the madness that followed. But Justin Germano has quietly made a name for himself in the Cubs rotation, and if he continues to 
pitch like he did today he will have a future on this team. Germano earned his second win of the season going 6.1 innings giving up two runs on five hits while walking one and striking out six. A couple starts back Germano got 14 runs from his offense, today he got seven, he must be the lucky charm the offense has been searching for. I know that David DeJesus really likes when Germano is pitching as he was amazing today, having easily his best game as a Cub. DeJesus was 4-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, he came in with only two on the whole season. He finished the day with three RBI’s, a walk, and two runs scored, quite the day for the Cubs lead-off man. Brett Jackson also turned in a solid performance at the plate going 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, an RBI, and a run scored. It was great to see that as he has been struggling, so has Starlin Castro and he responded today as well going 3-for-4 with his 12th home run of the season and two RBI’s. The Cubs have an off day tomorrow as they will travel to Cincinnati for a weekend series that includes a double header on Saturday.
Game Highlights:
DeJesus’ Multi-HR Game
Germano’s Stellar Outing
Rizzo’s Heads Up Play
Rizzo and Castro Turn Two
Castro’s 12th HR on the Season
Jackson’s RBI Triple
Thanks for reading,
- George
Cubs No Match For Harrell
I don’t think I should predict anymore victories, especially when Chris Volstad is pitching. So much for trying to be positive, Chris Volstad is just lost out there, and I was foolish to think he had a chance tonight. Furthermore, if I knew Lendy Castillo would make an 
appearance I would have definitely kept my mouth shut. Volstad was roughed up again tonight, as he recorded his ninth loss of the season, he’s only made twelve starts. Sure, four runs doesn’t seem like a lot, but Volstad was hit hard in every inning. Speaking of innings, Volstad only lasted five, giving up four runs on eight hits while striking out three. Lendy Castillo, or as I like to call him, kerosene, made things much worse in his 0.2 innings of work, he gave up five runs, three earned on five hits while striking out two. This was another one of those “going through the motions” games as the Cubs seemed to want to do anything but play baseball tonight. They only managed six hits, and one run on their way to a 10-1 defeat thanks in large part to Lucas Harrell, who, to be fair, was outstanding tonight. Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro, and Brett Jackson each had one hit in the loss, so that’s exciting, I guess. The Cubs will look to win the series tomorrow as they send Justin Germano to the bump.
Game Highlights:
Great Throw from Welington Castillo
Barney Snags a Liner
Thanks for reading,
- George
Rizzo, Samardzija Fuel Cubs Victory
Well, that was more like it, yes I know it’s “only” the Astros, I don’t care, that was enjoyable to watch. It was a big night for two of the Cubs young stars, 
Anthony Rizzo and Jeff Samardzija as they lead the Cubs to a 7-1 blow out victory. Samardzija had his second tremendous start in a row, however he was actually rewarded this time around. Shark went seven brilliant innings allowing one run on four hits while walking three and striking out eleven. He had everything working, as he kept the Astros hitters off-balance but reached back when he needed something extra as he hit 99 on the gun at one point. The win gave Samardzija an 8-10 record on the season and he lowered his ERA to 4.06. It was nice to see the bats wake up as well, as the Cubs pounded out ten hits on their way to plating seven runs, unheard of! Anthony Rizzo led the attack with a big day, going 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, he is now hitting .306 on the season. Darwin Barney and Alfonso Soriano didn’t want to be left out of the fun as they each hit two-run home runs to continue the onslaught. Barney finished the night 2-for-2 with his 6th home run, a double, two walks, two RBI’s and two runs scored.
Shark breaks down his outing
Game Highlights:
Samardzija’s Stellar Outing
Rizzo’s Big Night
Vitters Sac Fly
Soriano’s Two-Run Laser
Barney’s Two-Run Blast
Thanks for reading,
- George
Cubs go quietly as Reds take the series
We’ve seen this way too many times over the last 12 games, a decent pitching performance from the Cubs wasted as the offensive attack was anything but. It happened again today as Brooks Raley did everything he could to get the Cubs a win but they fell short for the 11th time in their last 12 games. Raley was much better in his second major league start as he went six strong innings giving up three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out two. It was a pitchers duel all day as Raley was perfect through four innings but ran into trouble in the fifth where he surrendered three straight hits, and two runs to basically put this one out of reach. Things were never really in doubt this afternoon as the Cubs could only manage four hits against Johnny Cueto who tossed eight scoreless innings for his 15th win of the season. After winning the first game of this series the Cubs put on a crap show the rest of the weekend. This weekend will be best remembered for the lackadaisical effort put forth by the Cubs, that includes a five error “effort” on Friday and multiple mental mistakes, not just from players named Castro.
Game Highlights:
DeJesus Makes a Nice Catch
Barney with the Bare Hand
Thanks for reading,
- George
Cubs earn latest loss to Reds
This might have been the worst game of the season, sure the Cubs lost 10-8, only a two run defeat, but the game was played at a high school quality level. Now that I think about it, I’m not sure I want to disrespect any high 
school team with that comparison. This is the kind of stuff that needs to stop, sure, physical errors are going to happen, but the mental stuff can and should be avoided. Dale Sveum was probably the most upset that we have seen him after the game today, a lot had to do with Starlin Castro’s continued mental mistakes. Enough about that for now, Justin Germano got the start for the Cubs today and came back down to Earth a bit. Germano suffered his second loss of the season after going 5.2 innings giving up six runs, four earned, while walking two and striking out two. Germano got no help at all as the Cubs committed five errors behind him, FIVE. The Cubs did their best with the bats to try to make it a game and they did as the lead was cut to one in the 8th. The showdown of the game was in the 8th with the tying run on third Aroldis Chapman blew a 102 MPH fastball by Anthony Rizzo to get out of it, and basically end the Cubs day. Darwin Barney had a solid day at the plate going 3-for-5 with two runs scored in a day filled with missed opportunities as the Cubs were 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position. This had to be the most frustrating game of the season, luckily for all of us there is a new game tomorrow.
Sveum not happy, hints at sitting Castro
Game Highlights:
Full Video Recap
DeJesus RBI Double
Castillo’s RBI Double
Castro’s Two-Run Double
Soriano’s Run Scoring Double
Thanks for reading,
- George
Cubs Rally to End 8 Game Losing Streak
For whatever reason the Cubs are a much different team at home than on the road. It’s obvious given the record at home and on the road, but I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about their overall game. Tonight for example, they got behind early, and there was no panic, no giving up at bats, no mindless baseball. It really is like night at day, I hope that they can build on this at home and the road success comes with experience. Chris 
got the start tonight, okay I know what you are thinking, impossible, how could Volstad pitch AND the Cubs win the game. It happened folks, and Volstad played a big role, but did not earn a decision so he remains win less this year, and has not registered a win in over a calendar year. Volstad went six strong innings giving up three runs on six hits while walking two and striking out four. The Cubs trailed 3-1 into the sixth inning before tying it up on a Starlin Castro ringing double that just missed leaving the yard for what would have been a three run homer to take the lead. The game stayed tied until the bottom of the eighth when Alfonso Soriano connected on his 20th home run of the season to put the Cubs up for good 5-3. Soriano now has 20 home runs in eleven straight years, quite the accomplishment. Anthony Rizzo had a great night at the plate as he was seeing the ball well all game, he finished 2-for-2 with a double, two walks, and RBI, and two runs scored. Shawn Camp pitched a scoreless inning in relief for his 3rd win of the season and Carlos Marmol closed the door for his 14th save of the year. So long losing streak, full box score and highlights after the jump.
Cubs swept out of San Diego
Just ugly, no other way to really put it at this point. Jeff Samardzija did all he could today to give his team a chance to win, but for the third straight day the Cubs could only manage five hits on their way to being shut out, and their 8th straight loss. It boggles my mind that a team can have the best record over a month’s time in the Majors, but also lose 12 games in a row early in the season, and now 8 in a row and counting. Sure, they are young and there will be ups and downs but I didn’t expect such extremes. Back to Samardzija, he was outstanding going seven strong innings giving up only one run on four hits while walking two and striking out six. The frustration is starting to show for Samardzija who snapped his bat over his knee like a twig after a strike out late in the game. At least he showed some fire I guess, something that this team has lacked this entire road trip as they closed it out 0-6. What’s worse is the Cubs were 0-for the West Coast as they did not win one game in San Diego, San Francisco, or Los Angeles this year. As I mentioned the Cubs only managed five hits all day once again, one of those hits was from Starlin Castro who snapped an 0-for-21 stretch, maybe that will be something to build on. Full box score and highlights after the jump.
Anything but seventh Heaven
Here we go again I guess. In a season that has already featured a 12 game losing streak the Cubs are threatening to reach a new level of futility. When the Cubs lost 12 games in a row earlier this year they had veteran leadership in 
the clubhouse, and a more talented team, the talent is still there it’s just young an unproven. Because of that this losing streak has the opportunity to get much worse before it gets better, and that’s okay, and if you can’t stomach it, then turn away because it’s not going to change overnight. On Tuesday night the Cubs lost their seventh straight game in which it looked like each player was doing their own thing out there, playing as individuals instead of playing like a team. When that happens, performance usually suffers, and it is, as LaHair, Castro, Jackson, and Rizzo among others, look lost out there. Brooks Raley made his major league debut last night, and his line doesn’t tell the whole story. Raley was the victim of some bad luck in the form of broken bat hits, and seeing eye singles. He didn’t escape with his lumps however as he lasted 4.0 innings giving up seven runs, all earned on eight hits while walking three and striking out four. To borrow a term from Matt Garza, the offensive performance was a crapshow. The Cubs only managed five hits once again in the loss and were seemingly sleep walking through at bats. The lone bright spot was Josh Vitters ripping a pinch hit two run double for his first major league hit, the Cubs look to avoid the sweep and their eighth loss in a row this afternoon. Full box score and highlights after the jump.
Losing streak reaches 6; Bats MIA again
Well, that was fast. The Cubs and Padres completed this one in two 
hours and 25 minutes, unfortunately the Cubs came out on the short end. Part of the reason for the quick game was the Cubs approach at the plate. After a solid 28 pitch first inning the Cubs fell back into bad habits as they rushed through at bats. A troubling sight considering it was only a two run game thanks to a stellar effort turned in by Travis Wood. Wood went six strong innings allowing two runs on five hits while walking three and striking out three. With the loss Wood falls for 4-8 on the season with an ERA of 4.77. As I mentioned, the Cubs offense was lacking and that’s putting it mildly. Eric Stults and company held the Cubs to just five hits as they shut down the Cubs from the word go. Welington Castillo was the only offense in the loss he went 2-for-4 at the plate. The Cubs were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base. Josh Vitters made his first major league start and was held hitless, just like everyone else, but did make an outstanding defensive play that might have saved a run. The Cubs losing streak now sits at six, and until the bats get going that number will grow. Full box score and highlights after the jump.
Jackson Impresses in Debut; Bullpen Fails Cubs
It was an exciting day to be a Cubs fan until the bullpen entered the game and the reality of being in the early stages of rebuilding slapped us all across the face. Nevertheless, it was an important day for the Cubs organization and the fans as the future became a little clearer. Top prospects Brett Jackson, and Josh Vitters were called up before the game, and both Jackson and Anthony Rizzo played large roles in the game today.
It was a pitchers duel through five innings today as the Cubs and Dodgers were deadlocked at one, that’s when things got crazy. After the Cubs took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 6th the Dodgers pushed across three in the bottom half to take a 4-2 lead thanks to the Cubs bullpen, and their inability to throw strikes. Normally that would signal the end for the Cubs but they stormed back in the top of the 7th, scoring three times, Alfonso Soriano came through with a big two out double to score two of those runs to give the Cubs a 5-4 lead. Once again, the Cubs bullpen couldn’t preserve the lead as the Dodgers jumped right back on top in the bottom of the 7th, scoring twice after having nobody on and two outs. The Dodgers clung to a one run lead into the ninth as Kenley Jansen took the mound, Jansen has been nearly un-hittable this year, don’t tell that to Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo lead the ninth off with a towering solo shot to tie the game at six, his ninth home run of the season, and third RBI of the game. Shawn Camp came on in the ninth to get this game to extra’s but he doesn’t really have an arm left and it showed again as he allowed the Dodgers to string together a couple hits after a lead-off walk to win this one 7-6. All in all it was an exciting yet excruciating day for Cubs fans, probably more of these on the way, but at least there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Full box score and highlights after the jump.
