Chicago Cubs Manager Dale Sveum Impressed By New Hitting Coach

The Chicago Cubs are not going anywhere in 2012, but it appears as if interim hitting coach James Rowson may not be going anywhere, either. Rowsen took over as the interim hitting coach in June when Rudy Jaramillo was fired. the progress has so far been slow. The Cubs rank 26th in hitting in the majors with a .240 average and are 29th in runs scored. Manager Dale Sveum is still positive, however:

‘‘I think [Rowson’s] done a good job,’’ Sveum said. ‘‘I don’t think we judge anything like that on numbers or anything like that. But he’s got the right mentality, the work ethic, all that. He’s done a great job for stepping in in a tough situation.’’

Starlin Castro, who is batting .275, leads the Cubs at the plate and is only 30th in the National League batting title race.

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Cubs Prospect Jorge Soler Adjusts To American Baseball

When the Chicago Cubs won the bidding rights for prized prospect Jorge Soler for nine years and $30 million they knew they were getting a talented, but extremely raw prospect. The 20-year old has since moved up from the Arizona Rookie League, where he batted .241 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 14 games, to the Peoria Chiefs of the Midwest League.

The Class A level has been even more kind to Soler. He is now batting .338 in 20 games with three home runs and 15 RBI. he has a hefty .513 slugging percetnage and an on-base percentage of .398.

Comcast Sportsnet recently talked about his adjustment to the American game after defecting from Cuba:

"Soler is a 20-year-old kid. He is not a 20-year-old mature guy, he is a 20-year-old kid," said Peoria Chiefs hitting coach Barbaro Garbey, who is spending time working with Soler on a daily basis. "He has the power, he has the talent and he has the time because he is only 20 years old. Like him, I came from Cuba and it takes time to make adjustments especially when you don’t speak English and he doesn’t yet understand how hard you have to play every single day."

SB Nation's Bleed Cubbie Blue has also been a supporter of Soler:

No monster home runs for Soler on what was the final day of the season for the Cubs' Midwest League affiliate in Peoria, and from what we've heard, likely the last day for Peoria as that affiliate. It's ironic, then, that they finished the season at Kane County, likely to be the home for Cubs prospects in the Midwest League once the team finally gets an affiliation agreement signed.

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Cubs Vs. Giants Preview: Chris Rusin Will Make 2nd Major League Start

After dropping the first game of the series 2-1 on Monday, the Chicago Cubs will try to take Game 2 against the Washington Nationals Tuesday.

Chicago has lost six of its last eight games including their last three. The Cubs will attempt to snap their losing streak with Chris Rusin (0-1, 1.80 ERA) getting the start. It will be Rusin's second career Major League start. Rusin made his Major League debut Aug. 21, tossing five innings against the Milwaukee Brewers while allowing just one run.

The Nationals will counter with Edwin Jackson (8-9, 3.53 ERA) who will be making his first start against the Cubs this season. Jackson is coming off one of the best starts of his season, an eight-inning performance against the St. Louis Cardinals. Jackson struck out 10 and didn't allow an earned run.

Tuesday's first pitch from Nationals Park is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Chicago Cubs Call Up Triple-A Relief Pitcher Miguel Socolovich

After designating reliever Alex Hinshaw for assignment, the Chicago Cubs called up Triple-A relief pitcher Miguel Socolovich on Sunday, according to a press release by the team.

The 26-year-old Socolovich was claimed off waivers by the Cubs less than two weeks ago after Baltimore deemed him expendable, but was only able to pitch a mere 10.1 innings with the Orioles before getting the axe. Although he currently owns a 6.97 ERA with eight earned runs and six walks to his credit, the Venezuelan-born right-hander features an impressive arsenal of pitches and could prove valuable to Chicago's bullpen if he's able to overcome his command issues.

Socolovich is 36-27 overall as a minor leaguer with 432 strikeouts over 498 innings, and appears to be needed mainly in a long-relief role with the Cubs going forward. While his MLB numbers are hardly what anyone would consider eye-popping on the surface, it's likely the Cubs were interested in his impressive 4.07 K/BB ratio this season in Triple-A.

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Cubs Vs. Giants Final Score: Chicago Edged By San Francisco In 9th Inning, 7-5

The Chicago Cubs dropped yet another three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field, after the visiting Giants pulled off a 7-5 victory with a clutch ninth inning rally.

Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol took the mound with the game knotted at five apiece in the top of the ninth, but struggled with his command per usual and walked a pair of batters. Marmol's early control problems would quickly prove costly, as the inconsistent right-hander soon gave up consecutive RBI singles to San Francisco hitters to put the Giants ahead on the scoreboard.

Starter Travis Wood scattered seven hits over 5.2 innings, but took the loss to drop to a woeful 4-12 on the season. Offensively, outfielder Alfonso Soriano continued his second-half power surge despite the outcome, by belting out his 25th home run of the season in the fifth inning. The 36-year-old Soriano now has nine RBI over his last 10 games and could be in store for his first 30+ homer season since his debut in a Cubs uniform back in 2007.

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Chicago Cubs Outright Alex Hinshaw To Triple-A

The Chicago Cubs have outrighted relief pitcher Alex Hinshaw to Triple-A Iowa, according to the Pacific Coast League's official transaction page. The left-hander was designated for assignment by the Cubs last Tuesday, just nine days after the team claimed him off waivers from the San Diego Padres.

Hinshaw has pitched 28.1 innings in the big leagues this season, but he only recorded one out with the Cubs before being removed from the 40-man roster. He posted a solid 4.50 ERA in 28 innings with the Padres before they let him go, but he allowed five runs without recording an out in his final appearance with Chicago.

Overall, Hinshaw has appeared in 90 total games in the big leagues, posting a 5.11 ERA with 85 strikeouts and 57 walks in 74 innings. In 153 innings of Triple-A ball, he's posted a 4.23 ERA with 187 strikeouts and 97 walks.

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Cubs Vs. Giants Lineups: Chicago Tries To Get Win Against Matt Cain

The Chicago Cubs face Cy Young candidate Matt Cain (13-5, 2.82 ERA) and the San Francisco Giants today at 1:20 p.m. CT. Chicago starts Travis Wood (4-11, 4.71 ERA). Each team has won once during the three-game weekend series. San Francisco got off to a fast start in the team's win over the Cubs last night.

Here are the lineups for today's game:

Cubs:

1. RF David DeJesus (L)

2. 3B Luis Valbuena (L)

3. 1B Anthony Rizzo (L)

4. LF Alfonso Soriano (R )

5. SS Starlin Castro (R )

6. C Steve Clevenger (L)

7. CF Brett Jackson (L)

8. 2B Darwin Barney (R )

9. P Travis Wood (R )

Giants:

1. CF Angel Pagan (S)

2. 2B Marco Scutaro (R)

3. 3B Pablo Sandoval (S)

4. C Buster Posey (R)

5. RF Hunter Pence (R)

6. SS Joaquin Arias (R)

7. LF Xavier Nady (R)

8. 1B Brett Pill (R)

9. P Matt Cain (R)

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Cubs Vs. Giants Preview: Travis Wood Takes The Mound For Chicago In Sunday's Rubber Match

Travis Wood will lead the Chicago Cubs Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field as they attempt to take the series from the NL West-leading San Francisco Giants.

Wood has struggled mightily since the All-Star break, losing eight of nine starts to drop his overall record to 4-11 with a 4.71 ERA. Despite the poor second half record, Wood has pitched better of late, allowing only three runs through seven innings in each of his last two starts. He still managed to take the loss in both contests.

For the Giants, Cy Young hopeful Matt Cain will lead a San Francisco team victorious in seven of its last ten, and 5-1 on the year against the Cubs. Cain picked up a no decision last time out but pitched very well, allowing only two runs in 7.1 innings. He is currently 13-5 on the season with a 2.82 ERA.

Cubs outfielder David DeJesus is 4-7 with four RBIs and a home run so far this series.

For more on the Chicago Cubs, check out Bleed Cubbie Blue. For the latest on the Giants, visit McCovey Chronicles.

Chicago Cubs Call Up Three Players As Major League Rosters Expand

Major League Baseball rosters expand from 25 players to up to 40 players today and the Chicago Cubs called up three players prior to today's loss to the San Francisco Giants:

The players called up from Triple-A Iowa, via Cubs.com, are outfielders Tony Campana and Dave Sappelt and infielder Adrian Cardenas. All three were available in today's game. Campana and Cardenas were both used as pinch-hitters, but neither reached base.

Campana had previously appeared in 70 games for the Cubs this season, hitting .259 with no home runs and 26 stolen bases. He stole 24 bases in 95 games with the Cubs last season.

Cardenas appeared in 32 games with the Cubs this season, hitting .234. This is Sappelt's first appearance with the Cubs. He played in 38 games for the Cincinnati Reds last season.

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Cubs Vs. Giants Recap: Big 1st Inning Propels San Francisco To Win

The San Francisco Giants scored four runs in the first inning and Tim Lincecum (8-14, 5.21 ERA) struck out seven Chicago Cubs in 6.1 innings in San Francisco's 5-2 win Saturday.

Cubs starter Justin Germano (2-5, 5.52 ERA) loaded the bases in the first inning, then hit Giants catcher Hector Sanchez with a pitch to give San Francisco a 1-0 lead. Xavier Nady hit a bases-clearing double to give the Giants a 4-0 lead. San Francisco scored again in the second on an RBI sac fly by Marco Scutaro.

Germano pitched three scoreless innings after the rough start, but the Cubs couldn't generate enough offense to get back into the game. Their two runs came on a two-run home run by David DeJesus in the third inning.

Anthony Rizzo had two hits for the Cubs.

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Cubs Vs. Giants Game Preview: Cubs Face Giants' Lincecum at 1:05 p.m. ET

The Cubs may have caught the NL West-leading Giants a bit flat-footed in Friday's three-game series opener.

The Giants (74-58) had just come off a late night game at Houston before flying to Chicago for a day game with the Cubs. That could have been part of the reason the Cubs were able to take the opener 6-4 off Giants P Madison Baumgartner.

The Cubs (51-80) won't have that luxury this afternoon as they face off against Tim Lincecum (7-14) at 1:05 p.m.

Lincecum is struggling overall this season, but is 3-0 with an ERA of 1.93 in his last three starts since the All-Star break. He's also 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA at Wrigley Field.

Chicago snapped a three-game losing streak with the 6-4 win Friday, and will counter Lincecum with Justin Germano (2-4, 5.91), who has a 1.83 ERA against the Giants.

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Chicago Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo: 'We're Not Going To Lose 100 Games'

The Chicago Cubs have struggled all year and are currently sitting 30 games under .500, but rookie first baseman Anthony Rizzo has vowed that the club won't lose 100 games, according to Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.

With just 32 games remaining on the schedule, 19 of which will be played against the NL West-leading San Francisco Giants (two games), NL East-leading Washington Nationals (four games), NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds (three games) and NL Wild Card contenders the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates (three and seven games, respectively), Rizzo and the Cubs have their work cut out for them.

Rizzo remains confident and hopeful.

"The last month we want to win," he said. "We want to play .500 baseball in September and everybody in here wants to finish strong. It’s cliché but we want to build as much momentum in September to take into spring training and move forward."

The Cubs have only lost 100 games twice in the club's 136-year history.

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Cubs Vs. Giants Recap: Alfonso Soriano Homers, Drives In Three In 6-4 Win Over The Giants

Alfonso Soriano homered and drove in three runs while rookie first baseman Anthony Rizzo hit a solo shot to carry the Cubs to a 6-4 win over the Giants at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon.

There were rumors floated around the MLB trade deadline that Soriano might have been on his way to San Francisco. Those were quickly nixed, as Soriano -- who has a full no-trade clause -- said a relocation to the Bay Area would be too far of a move for his family and that San Francisco is too cold. He showed the Giants and their depleted outfield what they might be missing today.

The Cubs chased Giants starter Madison Bumgarner (14-9) early, dropping five runs on him in just four innings. It was Bumgarner's shortest outing since his first start of the 2012 season.

Cubs reliever Sean Camp scuffled a bit in the 8th inning, allowing an RBI single to Buster Posey and an RBI groundout to Hunter Pence, but Carlos Marmol shut the door in the top of the 9th to pick up the save.

Cubs starter Chris Volstad (2-9), who had gone winless in his first 24 starts of the season, notched his second win in a row, allowing two runs on five hits.

The two teams will square off for Game 2 of the three-game set tomorrow at 12;05 p.m. CDT.

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Giants Vs. Cubs Lineups: Josh Vitters Hits In No. 2 Spot On Friday

The Chicago Cubs begin a weekend series against the San Francisco Giants on Friday afternoon, as Chris Volstad makes the start against Madison Bumgarner at Wrigley Field. Here are the lineups that each team will use in the series opener on Friday (via Baseball Press):

Game Time: Friday, Aug. 31, 1:20 p.m. CT

Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Ill.

TV: CSN-Chicago

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Giants Vs. Cubs Preview: Chris Volstad Looks For 2nd Straight Win

Chris Volstad looks for another victory as the Cubs open a series against the Giants on Friday afternoon.