Cubs Manager Dale Sveum Didn't Have Problem With Initial Incident In Brawl

The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals had two bench-clearing incidents in Thursday's series finale, the first of which started when Cubs bench coach Jamie Quirk yelled at Nationals third base coach Bo Porter for what he perceived to be overly aggressive baserunning with the Nats leading 5-0 in the fifth inning.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum, though, wasn't upset with the Nationals according to ESPN Chicago's Doug Padilla:

"I didn’t have any problem with it," Sveum said of the Nationals’ play. "It was the fifth inning. It was as if they were up 5-0 in the fifth inning. I don’t expect my team to stop playing in the fifth inning. There is a time when you stop. I mean a five-run lead, to me, I didn’t have any problem with anything they did."

So was Quirk out of line?

"You have to talk to Jamie about that," Quirk said. "But me personally I don’t want my guys to stop playing at that time."

Padilla said Quirk has been unavailable to comment on the incident the past two days.

For more on this series, check out Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Washington Nationals blog Federal Baseball. Follow Baseball Nation for all your up-to-date MLB news and analysis.

Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo Says Bryce Harper 'Plays The Game The Right Way'

The Chicago Cubs have had a very tough time recently. They dropped Thursday's game against the Washington Nationals, which sealed them on the losing end of a four-game sweep and put them into a six-game losing streak overall. They allowed 31 runs over the four games against Washington, and a big part of that was 19-year-old Bryce Harper.

Harper had a triple and reached base on his second at-bat on Thursday and he had two homers in the first three games of the series. He also was part of the bench-clearing incident on Thursday, when Lendy Castillo almost hit Harper with a pitch. Harper yelled at him and both benches cleared.

One Cubs player doesn't think Harper was out of line. Anthony Rizzo first said that Castillo wasn't trying to hit Harper, but said he understood what Harper was feeling, according to a piece from the Chicago Tribune:

"I don't think he was over the top at all," he said. "Things escalated. Bryce, it wasn't like he was running his mouth or saying anything. "He plays this game the right way. He plays hard. He's real exciting to watch. Playing against him, you have to contain him."

The second half of that is very complimentary at this point, especially considering the whole four-game sweep thing. It's all true though: Harper is a very good player and he's only 19 years old. There's no shame in a guy like him beating up on your starting pitching. It's also good to see honesty coming from Cubs players and their ability to recognize a guy with a lot of talent on the upswing.

For more on this series, check out Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. Follow Baseball Nationfor all your up-to-date MLB news and analysis.

Cubs 3B Josh Vitters Struggles With Adjustment To Majors

Heading into Thursday's game against the Washington Nationals, Josh Vitters of the Chicago Cubs was batting a paltry .076 with a.127 on-base percentage and a .152 slugging percentage. He's had 66 at-bats and the only stat worth smiling at this point is the fact that he's got three extra-base hits, which isn't saying much at all. It's a disappointing start to a major league career after such a solid Triple-A season.

ESPN's Doug Padilla took a look at Vitters and his performance thus far. He had a quote from manager Dale Sveum that doesn't speak to a lot of confidence in Vitters. He was asked if he is seeing enough from Vitters' approach at the plate:

"I think it's like anything, adjustments have to be applied in the game," Sveum said. "We can do all the batting practice and teaching all we want, but if it isn't applied in the game.

"That's where you have to start evaluating. Can people apply it and make adjustments on the fly in a game?"

What's clear is that Vitters will have some changes to make to his game. He can't continue with the same approach to the plate and just hope it works. If the big game is going to click for him, he'll likely need to make it click. The piece also has a quote from Vitters though, where he says he's not going to let it get the best of him, so it's a good sign that he's confident in his own ability. Only time will tell if his confidence is enough to get him to the next level.

For more on this series, check out Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. Follow Baseball Nation for all your up-to-date MLB news and analysis.

Cubs Vs. Nationals Final Score: Chicago Loses 9-2

The Chicago Cubs lost 9-2 to the Washington Nationals on Thursday night, dropping their sixth consecutive game of the season. It's been an abysmal stretch for the team, which has won just eight times over its past 36 games since July 30.

The Cubs' pitchers struggled badly once again, allowing nine or more runs for the third straight game. Jordan Zimmermann was superb for Washington, though, allowing two runs and striking out nine over seven innings of work.

Thursday's game was highlighted by a pair of bench-clearing incidents during the middle of the game. The Cubs saw catcher Steve Clevenger and coach Jamie Quirk get ejected, but nobody from the Nationals was forced to leave the game.

Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro combined for five hits, including a homer by the first baseman and a pair of extra-base knocks by the shortstop, but Zimmermann did a good job of spreading out the hits that he did allow. Kurt Suzuki led the Nationals with three hits, including a three-run homer.

For more on this series, check out Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Washington Nationals blog Federal Baseball. Follow Baseball Nation for all your up-to-date MLB news and analysis.

Cubs Vs. Nationals: Benches Clear, Punches Thrown During 2 Separate Incidents

The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals have gotten a bit testy during Thursday night's series finale in D.C., becoming involved in two separate on-field incidents involving bench clearing. Cubs catcher Steve Clevenger and Cubs coach Jamie Quirk have already been ejected from the game.

As Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune notes, things began when Quirk got into an argument with Nationals coach Bo Porter:

A bench clearing dispute ignited by Quirk and Nats coach Bo Porter. No punches thrown but Porter came to dugout to pontificate.

— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) September 7, 2012

Porter wasn't ejected, but things would again get heated minutes later. After Lendy Castillo threw at Bryce Harper, another bench-clearing incident ensued involving Clevenger and other Nationals players, during which Clevenger threw punches:

Another brouhaha with punches thrown this time after Castillo threw at Harper. Werth, Rizzo and many others involved.

— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) September 7, 2012

The Cubs have brought in Welington Castillo to take over at catcher for Clevenger. The Nationals are leading 9-2 in the seventh inning as they look for a sweep.

For more on this series, check out Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Washington Nationals blog Federal Baseball. Follow Baseball Nation for all your up-to-date MLB news and analysis.

Cubs Vs. Nationals Preview: Chicago Tries To Avoid Sweep On Thursday

The Chicago Cubs will try to stop the bleeding on Thursday night in their series finale against the Washington Nationals, but it won't be easy. The Cubs have dropped five straight games and eight of their last 10, but on Thursday they get a chance to avoid being swept for the first time since Aug. 6-8 against San Diego Padres.

They've still got a long way to go and aren't in playoff contention at this point, but avoiding the sweep is a great start to get it all back on track. They've actually got an easier stretch of schedule coming up after this point, but they'd really like to head into Pittsburgh not riding a six-game losing streak.

Justin Germano (2-5, 6.30 ERA) will take the mound for Chicago, while the Nats plan to counter with Jordan Zimmermann (9-8, 3.01 ERA). Germano is coming off a loss in his most recent outing, giving up five earned runs over five innings of pitching, while Zimmerman allowed a whopping eight runs over three-plus innings, but was given a no decision thanks to his run support.

Game time: 6:05 p.m. CT

Location: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

TV: CSN

For more on this series, check out Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Washington Nationals blog Federal Baseball. Follow Baseball Nation for all your up-to-date MLB news and analysis.

Adam Greenberg Isn't Giving Up Dream Of Again Reaching Majors

Former Chicago Cubs outfielder Adam Greenberg has a film and website partially devoted to his attempted comeback. Greenberg was given his first, and only, MLB plate appearance on July 9, 2005, when he was hit in the head by a Valerio de los Santos pitch. As a result, Greenberg suffered from vertigo and never recorded an official at-bat. He later had stints in the minors for the Dodgers, Royals, and Angels but never returned to the majors.

Greenberg hasn't played affiliated baseball since 2008 but is hoping for another shot. After three years with the independent league Bridgeport Bluefish, he is taking this year off, but is going to play for Team Israel as they attempt to qualify for the World Baseball Classic.

Greenberg's story is highlighted by Matt Liston, producer of the ESPN "30 for 30" film "Catching Hell," who has started a campaign called "One At-Bat," attempting to get Greenberg an at-bat in the Cubs' final series of the season.

For more on the Cubs be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue.

Cubs Manager Dale Sveum On Nationals: 'Men Playing Against Boys'

Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum didn't mince words when describing his team's series against the Washington Nationals.

"That's just men playing against boys right now," Sveum said following the Nationals 9-1 victory over the Cubs on Wednesday.

The Cubs haven't been able to hang with the Nationals all series, which is a reflection of the season for both teams. The Nationals currently have the best record in baseball at 84-52, while the Cubs have the second-worse record in the majors at 51-85.

Wednesday's game was the second straight in which the Nationals hit six home runs against the Cubs after topping Chicago, 11-5, on Tuesday night. Sveum was ejected during Wednesday's game, screaming at umpire Larry Vanover in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Cubs look to get their first win in the series on Thursday night after dropping the last three against the Nationals.

For more on the Cubs; check out Bleed Cubbie Blue and SB Nation Chicago. For additional MLB coverage head over to Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Nationals Final Score: Washington Crushes Chicago, 9-1

The Chicago Cubs mustered only four hits and one run on Wednesday night, and that was far from enough to topple the Washington Nationals. The Nationals smashed six homers — three off of starter Chris Volstad — en route to a 9-1 victory that puts them in position to sweep the Cubs on Thursday with a win.

The Nats got the scoring started in the bottom of the first with an Adam LaRoche RBI single in the center, before adding four runs in the third on homers from Roger Bernadina (solo), Bryce Harper (solo) and LaRoche (two-run). Harper would homer again in the sixth, and the Nats would homer twice more in the seventh to go up 9-0. The only thing that saved the Cubs from being shut out was an Anthony Rizzo solo homer in the bottom of the ninth.

The two teams will complete their series on Thursday at 6:05 p.m. CT.

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Cubs Vs. Nationals Starting Lineups: Chicago Seeks To End Losing Streak

The Chicago Cubs send out a starting lineup Wednesday night with the hope that it will end the team's four-game losing streak. Winning is never easy against the mighty Washington Nationals, whose sights are set on the postseason.

Here's the Cubs' lineup:

1. Joe Mather CF

2. Dave Sappelt RF

3. Anthony Rizzo 1B

4. Alfonso Soriano LF

5. Starlin Castro SS

6. Welington Castillo C

7. Josh Vitters 3B

8. Darwin Barney 2B

9. Chris Volstad P

Here's the Nationals lineup for Wednesday:

1. Roger Bernadina CF

2. Bryce Harper RF

3. Ryan Zimmerman 3B

4. Adam LaRoche 1B

5. Michael Morse LF

6. Ian Desmond SS

7. Danny Espinosa 2B

8. Kurt Suzuki C

9. Gio Gonzalez P

Cubs Set Franchise Record For Players Used

The Chicago Cubs set a franchise record on Tuesday night for the number of players used in a season, at 52. The record was set by the newly-acquired Anthony Recker, who pinch hit in the ninth inning of Tuesday night's loss to the Washington Nationals. The record was tied when relief pitcher Jaye Chapman made his major league debut in the second inning.

Theo Epstein effectively turning the Cubs into an extension of the franchise's farm system has been beneficial for his own purposes, but as manager Dale Sveum points out, it's not something that quite exactly correlates with winning.

"You'd rather have it another way," manager Dale Sveum said. "There is nothing good from breaking a franchise record for players used. You're not going to end up in a good season."

(via ESPN Chicago)

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Cubs Vs. Nationals Preview: Chris Volstad Looks To Continue Solid Pitching

Chicago Cubs starter Chris Volstad's 2012 season has largely been a failure. but Volstad has shown some signs of life in six starts since being recalled from the minor leagues. In those starts, Volstad has posted a 3.72 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, significant drops from the 7.94 ERA and 1.65 WHIP he had amassed in 2012 prior to August. On Wednesday night he'll be looking to continue that momentum when the Cubs take on the Washington Nationals.

Volstad has made seven career starts in Washington, and it hasn't been quite friendly to him. In those starts, he's allowed 23 earned runs in 38.1 innings, good for a 5.40 ERA. He's also given up six homers in those seven starts. Volstad, though, hasn't faced the Nats since Sept. 28, 2010.

He'll be opposed by Washington starter Gio Gonzalez, whose numbers have ticked up slightly since the All-Star Break but who is still putting up one of the better seasons amongst pitchers in the National League. Gonzalez, who has a 3.10 ERA on the season and who has struck out 176 batters in 168.1 innings, faced the Cubs in his first start of the season, giving up four earned runs in 3.2 innings.

Game time: 6:05 p.m. CT

Location: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

TV: CSN

For more on the Cubs, be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. And, for additional MLB coverage, head over to Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Nationals: Washington Takes Control Early To Beat Chicago In Game 2

The Chicago Cubs fell behind early and were never able to recover, eventually losing to the Washington Nationals, 11-5, on Tuesday night.

Chicago starter Chris Rusin (0-2) was called up from Double-A Kodak to start for the Cubs, but the left-hander was unable to pitch out of the second inning after giving up two home runs and a two-run double. Jaye Chapman was called on in relief with no outs in the second inning.

Washington shortstop Ian Desmond knocked in four of the Nationals' five early runs with a two-run homer in the first inning and a two-run double in the second, which knocked out Rusin. The Cubs would end up using seven pitchers in the game, five of whom giving up at least one run.

The Nationals hit six home runs in the game, including two solo shots by first baseman Adam LaRoche who finished the night with four hits.

Edwin Jackson (9-9) earned the win for Washington after giving up seven hits and four runs in 5.2 innings. Jackson also logged eight of the 10 strikeouts by Washington pitchers on the night.

The two teams resume their four-game series Wednesday night at 6:05 p.m. CT.

For more on the Cubs, be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. And, for additional MLB coverage, head over to Baseball Nation.

Brett Jackson Working To Earn Cubs' Starting CF Job For 2013

Chicago Cubs outfielder Brett Jackson will spend the final month of the 2012 season trying to convince the club's front office to give him a look as the starter in centerfield for next season, says CSN Chicago's Patrick Mooney.

Jackson, who was the Cubs' first round pick in the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft, made his major league debut on Aug. 5, and has shown flashes of power and on-base ability, despite struggling to a .190 batting average in his first month of action. Cubs manager Dale Sveum isn't convinced that Jackson will be guaranteed a spot in the lineup when 2013 rolls around, but he is encouraged about Jackson thus far.

"...He's shown enough that there's a lot to work with, and make some adjustments, and then there might be something pretty special."

Jackson owns a .313 on-base percentage, and has hit four homers, five doubles, and triple in 84 at-bats, good for a .417 slugging percentage. He has also been well above-average defensively, saving the Cubs approximately five runs according to Baseball-Reference's Total Zone Fielding.

For more on the Cubs, be sure to visit Bleed Cubbie Blue. And, for additional MLB coverage, head over to Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Nationals Final Score: Chicago Downed 2-1 In Series Opener

The Chicago Cubs couldn't get past the Washington Nationals on Monday, dropping a close but uneventful game 2-1. It was the start their four-game series at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Chicago has now lost three-straight games going back to a three-game set against the San Francisco Giants. They're so far back in the NL Central, it's not worth examining just how far back of the lead they are.

Jeff Samardzija made the start for Chicago, lasting seven innings and allowing just one run off of seven hits, striking out eight. The one run was a solo homer from Adam LaRoche in the second inning, a 1-0 lead that the Nationals would hold until the eighth when Ryan Zimmerman doubled to left field, bringing Bryce Harper around to score to make it 2-0.

The ninth inning almost saw a comeback as the Cubs managed to grab a run when Welington Castillo singled to center, scoring Anthony Rizzo, who singled to start the inning. Alfonso Soriano and Starlin Castro flew out prior to that single, so they scored with two outs. But Josh Vitters struck out swinging to end the game.

Ross Detwiler earned the win for the Nationals, with seven innings pitches and no earned runs. He walked three and gave up three hits and only struck out three, but the "no earned runs" mark is the most important, obviously. Game two will take place on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET.

Check out Bleed Cubbie Blue for more Cubs news. Also head over to Baseball Nation for even more coverage from around the league.

Cubs Vs. Nationals Lineups: Jeff Smardzija, Ross Detwiler Duel

The Chicago Cubs are 30 games back of the NL Central lead, and out of the running at this point. They're still going to give it their best to win some games though, and they've got a two-game losing skid to break after dropping two to the San Francisco Giants. Unfortunately, they've got a tough test ahead, as they begin a four-game set on the road against the Washington Nationals.

Washington sits at 81-52, with a first-place mark in the NL East, and they've won four of their last five games. They had a rough patch in August where they lost five-straight games, but have turned that around. Their lone loss in five games was a 10-9 loss to St. Louis on Saturday. They had a win in their most recent outing.

Jeff Samardzija will take the mound for Chicago, while Ross Detwiler will pitcher for Washington. Below, we've got full lineups for the game.

Chicago Cubs

1. Joe Mather CF
2. Darwin Barney 2B
3. Anthony Rizzo 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano LF
5. Starlin Castro SS
6. Welington Castillo C
7. Josh Vitters 3B
8. Dave Sappelt RF
9. Jeff Samardzija P

Washington Nationals

1. Jayson Werth RF
2. Bryce Harper CF
3. Ryan Zimmerman 3B
4. Adam LaRoche 1B
5. Michael Morse LF
6. Ian Desmond SS
7. Danny Espinosa 2B
8. Kurt Suzuki C
9. Ross Detwiler P

Check out Bleed Cubbie Blue for more Cubs news. Also head over to Baseball Nation for even more coverage from around the league.

Cubs Vs. Nationals Preview: Chicago Begins Four-Game Set In Washington Monday

The Cubs and Nationals begin a four-game series Monday in Washington