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Ward double lifts Cubs over Arizona (AP)

Sun, 11 May 2008 16:52:26 PDT

Daryle Ward was so sure he would play in the majors that he practiced his signature as a kid. He may get a few autograph requests after his latest big hit. Ward delivered a pinch-hit, two-run double in the eighth inning, and the Chicago Cubs rallied again to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 Sunday after the anticipated showdown between Carlos Zambrano and Randy Johnson got wiped out.

Diamondbacks, Cubs hold out Johnson, Zambrano (AP)

Sun, 11 May 2008 11:36:47 PDT

Forget about the big matchup between Big Z and the Big Unit. The Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks held Carlos Zambrano and Randy Johnson out of Sunday's game because of heavy rain, strong winds and temperatures in the 40s in Chicago. Instead, the Cubs' Sean Gallagher was to make his first start of the season, with Edgar Gonzalez taking the mound for the Diamondbacks, who were trying to avoid a...

Baseball Calendar (AP)

Sun, 11 May 2008 06:45:59 PDT

May 14-15 -- Owners' meeting, Milwaukee. June 5-6 -- Amateur draft, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. June 16 -- Hall of Fame game, Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego, Cooperstown, N.Y. July 15 -- All-Star game, New York. July 27 -- Hall of Fame inductions, Cooperstown, N.Y. July 31 -- Last day to trade a player without securing waivers.

Soriano, Fukudome lead Cubs over 'Backs 7-2 (AP)

Sat, 10 May 2008 16:52:48 PDT

Alfonso Soriano's warming up, even if the weather isn't. He looked like his old self Saturday and hopes he's put his season-long struggles behind him. The Cubs star had four hits, including a go-ahead double in a six-run seventh inning, and showed some flair on the bases to help Chicago beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-2.

Cubs Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Sat, 10 May 2008 04:13:19 PDT

The Cubs thought they were awash in starting pitching when the season started. Now, they're in a bit of a scramble.

Manager Lou Piniella made sure his "Big Three" of Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano will pitch this weekend against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Lilly did his part Friday by pitching seven innings and allowing just one run in a 3-1 victory.

After this weekend, anything is possible in the long run. Right-hander Jason Marquis, who last started May 4 at St. Louis, will open Monday's series at home against the Padres. Right-hander Jon Lieber, who got shelled in Cincinnati on Wednesday, will start Tuesday.

Lieber opened the season in the bullpen, and he pitched effectively in relief.

Rollins has big night in return from DL (AP)

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:36:27 PDT

Freddy Sanchez lifted the Pittsburgh Pirates to another dramatic win with a ninth-inning RBI single. Rickie Weeks stopped Milwaukee's six-game losing with a big hit of his own in the Brewers' last at-bat. And Jimmy Rollins stole the spotlight from both of them with a triumphant return from the disabled list.

Lilly pitches Cubs to 3-1 win over Diamondbacks (AP)

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:45:02 PDT

Instead of his glove and his temper, Ted Lilly got attention for his pitching and his bat. After giving up a first-inning homer to Chris Young, Lilly regrouped and helped the Chicago Cubs beat Arizona 3-1 Friday in the teams' first meeting since the Diamondbacks' first-round playoff sweep seven months ago.

Soto wins NL Rookie of the Month (PA SportsTicker)

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:52:14 PDT

Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto was named the National League Rookie of the Month for April on Friday.

Idol's Amanda Overmyer butchers the Anthem at Wrigley (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:37:08 PDT

Dear Chicago Cubs , I am asking you to please consider a new rule at the corner of Clark and Addison: Unless...

Cubs activate Eyre, send Marshall down (AP)

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:13:55 PDT

The Chicago Cubs activated left-handed reliever Scott Eyre from the 15-day disabled list Friday and optioned left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall to Triple-A Iowa. Eyre has missed the first 34 games this season with left elbow inflammation. He said Friday he has been taking medication for arthritis in the joint.

Cubs activate LHP Eyre (PA SportsTicker)

Fri, 09 May 2008 09:36:48 PDT

The Chicago Cubs activated lefthander reliever Scott Eyre from the disabled list on Friday prior to the opener of a weekend series with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

At the Letters: Complete coverage on CG's (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 07 May 2008 22:34:00 PDT

Readers expound on pitch counts, outer-space endeavors and hot pitchers … and a Cards fan comes back for more.

Former Gov. Thompson: Agency hopes to keep Wrigley name (AP)

Wed, 07 May 2008 19:42:15 PDT

Former Governor Jim Thompson said the agency that could buy Wrigley Field wants to the name and character of the historic ballpark to stay as is. Thompson, chairman of Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, said Wednesday that he hasn't heard of any deals to link Wrigley's name to a corporate sponsorship.

Reds hit 4 homers off Lieber, Votto hits 3 in all in 9-0 win (AP)

Wed, 07 May 2008 14:04:39 PDT

Nothing special about Joey Votto's first homer, a hanging slider that he pulled into the seats in right field for a modest 1-0 lead. What followed was breathtaking. Jon Lieber became only the second pitcher in Chicago Cubs history to give up four homers in an inning, and Votto connected three times in all as the Cincinnati Reds powered their way to a 9-0 victory Wednesday.

Lieber gives up four homers in second (PA SportsTicker)

Wed, 07 May 2008 10:38:11 PDT

Chicago Cubs righthander Jon Lieber tied a major league record by giving up four home runs in the second inning of Wednesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds.

Zambrano leads Cubs to 3-0 win over struggling Reds (AP)

Tue, 06 May 2008 21:41:33 PDT

In the first five weeks, Carlos Zambrano has been the Chicago Cubs' constant. Zambrano had his way with Cincinnati's slumping lineup, allowing only three hits in eight innings, and Ronny Cedeno singled home a pair of runs that sent the Chicago Cubs to a 3-0 victory on Tuesday night. The Cubs won for only fourth time in 12 games, a span marked by inconsistency all-around.

Dunn hits homer, Cueto hits the corners as Reds beat Cubs (AP)

Mon, 05 May 2008 19:46:45 PDT

The bases were loaded with two outs. Derrek Lee was doing that slow, purposeful walk to the plate. A sickening thought was darting through Dusty Baker's mind. No, the Reds manager thought. Please, no. Baker watched Lee rescue many a game for the Cubs when he managed in Chicago. Baker feared it was going to happen again, in one of those games that can wreck a team's season.

10 years later, Wood clearly remembers 20-K game (AP)

Mon, 05 May 2008 17:53:47 PDT

Ten years later, Kerry Wood still has vivid memories of his greatest game. The Chicago Cubs closer remembers everything about the day he struck out 20 batters in his fifth major league start, joining Roger Clemens as the only pitchers to accomplish the feat. Wood remembers how he felt warming up on May 6, 1998.

Nothing's brewing in Milwaukee (SportingNews.com)

Mon, 05 May 2008 11:46:23 PDT

If the past five days are any indication, the Brewers are unravelling a lot earlier this year.

Baseball Power Poll: D-backs tops even before Scherzer (SportingNews.com)

Mon, 05 May 2008 09:26:26 PDT

The Diamondbacks already have Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Randy Johnson and Micah Owings in their rotation. Add in phenom Max Scherzer and it's not hard to see why they are No. 1.

Pujols helps Cards beat Cubs 5-3 (AP)

Sun, 04 May 2008 21:09:55 PDT

Two days after Jason Isringhausen left to merciless boos from the home crowd, he walked off the mound in triumph. Shaking off recent woes that left him wondering for a time whether to ditch his favored cut fastball, the St. Louis Cardinals' closer needed only 12 pitches to retire the top of the Chicago Cubs' order, putting the finishing touch on a 5-3 victory on Sunday night.

Ramirez out second straight game with sore wrist (AP)

Sun, 04 May 2008 16:19:31 PDT

Chicago Cubs cleanup hitter Aramis Ramirez missed his second straight start Sunday night with a sore left wrist from getting hit by a pitch. "Ramirez is still sore," manager Lou Piniella said. "He's still got some swelling and discomfort, so he didn't feel like he could go today. We'll give him another day and see how he is tomorrow." Piniella said Ramirez, batting .276 with six home runs and 22...

Cubs reach deal with holdout rooftop club owner (AP)

Sun, 04 May 2008 11:37:22 PDT

The Chicago Cubs have settled a dispute with the owner of a trio of nearby rooftop clubs who refused to share profits with the team. Friday's truce between the team and club owner Tom Gramatis ends a legal battle, which included threats from Wrigley officials to erect windscreens that would have blocked views from the rooftop seats.

Cubs' offense backs Lilly in 9-3 victory over Cardinals (AP)

Sat, 03 May 2008 17:26:36 PDT

The top offense in the major leagues surfaced again on Saturday. Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella only asks that his team try to minimize the lows. Mike Fontenot hit a three-run homer and had a career-best four RBIs, leading Chicago to a 9-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Geovany Soto added a two-run double in a four-run sixth for the Cubs, who finished with 12 hits and are averaging six runs...

Chicago Cubs demote left-hander Rich Hill to minors (AP)

Sat, 03 May 2008 13:15:15 PDT

Chicago Cubs left-hander Rich Hill was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday less than a day after he walked four and recorded just two outs in a start against the St. Louis Cardinals. Hill is 1-0 with a 4.12 ERA in five starts this season but has walked 18 in 19 2-3 innings. Both Hill and manager Lou Piniella expect he'll be back in the rotation soon.

Cubs option Hill to minors (PA SportsTicker)

Sat, 03 May 2008 11:51:38 PDT

Rich Hill will have a chance to work on his mechanics in the minors.

Schumaker's two-run homer gives Cardinals win over Cubs (AP)

Fri, 02 May 2008 21:59:24 PDT

A rare longball from singles-hitter Skip Schumaker took Jason Isringhausen off the hook. Schumaker hit a game-winning two-run homer off Chad Fox in the 11th inning, lifting the Cardinals to a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night. A career extra outfielder before this year, he was floored by the mob scene that met him at home plate.

Piniella: No highlight watching after loss (AP)

Fri, 02 May 2008 17:30:55 PDT

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella was in no mood to dial up the Thursday night sports highlights. Piniella didn't want to see replays of his terse response to a questioner wondering if he considered removing left fielder Alfonso Soriano for a defensive replacement in the ninth inning of the Milwaukee Brewers' comeback 3-2 victory.

Is conditioning a factor in Myers' lost velocity? (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 02 May 2008 06:17:57 PDT

Brett Myers is working to rediscover the fastball that made him the Philadelphia Phillies ' opening-day starter.