Cubs Vs. Marlins Final Score: Samardzija Struggles, Cubs Lose 5-3

The Chicago Cubs (3-10) lost their fifth straight game on Thursday afternoon as the Miami Marlins (7-6) scored big early to win 5-3.

SP Jeff Samardzija (L, 2-1) got the start for the Cubs, but struggled with his control. He finished only 3.2 IP with 5 BB and 3 K. In the fourth inning, Samardzija took a glancing blow from a line drive but remained in the game for another hitter and appeared to have sustained no major damage. The score, however, was already in great disrepair. The Marlins struck early when Samardzija allowed two walks and two singles, leading to a 2-0 Marlins lead.

The Cubs responded in the second inning when 2B Darwin Barney hit a two-out, bases-loaded triple for a 3-2 Cubs lead, but the advantage did not last long as the Marlins tacked on another three runs in the bottom of the fourth for a 5-2 lead. Both teams' bullpens dominated the later innings as neither team could score after the start of the fourth, leaving the Cubs with yet another loss.

For more on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage on the Cubs, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. Additional Marlins coverage can be found at Fish Stripes. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Marlins Score Update: SP Jeff Samardzija Hit By Line Drive, Exits In 4th Inning

The Chicago Cubs held their breath for several moments after a line drive from LF Logan Morrison headed straight for the mound and SP Jeff Samardzija. The line drive glanced off the 6'5" righty and deflected to SS Starlin Castro. The training staff immediately attended Samardzija, but he appeared to be fine. He struck out the next batter, RF Giancarlo Stanton, but was then removed -- having already reached 88 pitches -- for RP James Russell who finished the inning.

Samardzija did not feature the same command he displayed in his first two starts as he walked a season high 5 batters while striking out only 3. He also allowed a combined 8 hits for a total of 5 earned runs.

The Cubs offense came to life in the third inning, however, as 2B Darwin Barney backed Samardzija with a bases-clearing three-run triple. After 4.0 innings, the game stands at 5-3, Marlins lead.

For more on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage on the Cubs, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. Additional Marlins coverage can be found at Fish Stripes. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Marlins: TV Time, Lineups, Starters And More

The Chicago Cubs (3-9) get another chance to knock off the new-look Miami Marlins (6-6) on Thursday afternoon, and it's up to Jeff Samardzija and company to help the Cubs avoid a sweep. Here are the lineups and starting pitchers for each team, along with the relevant TV and radio information for the final game of the series in Miami.

Miami Marlins

1. Jose Reyes, SS
2. Emilio Bonifacio, CF
3. Hanley Ramirez, 3B
4. Logan Morrison, LF
5. Giancarlo Stanton, RF
6. Greg Dobbs, 1B
7. Donnie Murphy, 2B
8. Brett Hayes, C
9. Ricky Nolasco, SP

Chicago Cubs

1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Darwin Barney, 2B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Ian Stewart, 3B
6. Bryan LaHair, 1B
7. Geovany Soto, C
8. Marlon Byrd, CF
9. Jeff Samardzija, SP

Game Date & Time: Thursday, April 19, 11:40 a.m. CT

Starters: Jeff Samardzija (2-0, 3.95 ERA) vs. Ricky Nolasco (1-0, 3.46 ERA)

Location: Marlins Park; Miami, FL

TV: WGN

Radio: AM 720

For more on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage on the Cubs, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. Additional Marlins coverage can be found at Fish Stripes. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Marlins Preview: Chicago Aims To Avoid Series Sweep With Jeff Samardzija On The Mound

The Chicago Cubs (3-9) dropped the first two games of their three pack against the Miami Marlins (6-6), but they get once last chance to salvage a win and avoid the series sweep with Jeff Samardzija on the mound. The 27-year old right-handed pitcher has been one of the bright spots for the Cubs so far, and his numbers have looked good even beyond the glossy 2-0 record. He has averaged 8.56 strikeouts per nine innings and just 0.66 walks per nine, good for a 2.19 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), according to FanGraphs.com.

The Marlins will be without second baseman Omar Infante (left groin strain), who will sit out for the second consecutive game. Meanwhile, the Cubs will be with center fielder Marlon Byrd, but he's not really been all there this season. Paul Casella of Cubs.com explains:

Even with his base knock in Tuesday's loss, Marlon Byrd still has fewer hits than any Major Leaguer with as many at-bats as the Cubs' center fielder.

The fifth-inning single was just the third hit this season for Byrd, who raised his average to .081 with his 1-for-3 performance. He has yet to record an extra-base hit in 37 at-bats this season.

"We've got to get him going," said manager Dale Sveum, who added that he wants to see what happens with Byrd around the 100 at-bat mark. "We've got to get him swinging the bat. That's a big part of our lineup. He's playing a real nice center field. He's doing a great job out there. He's playing hard and battling and working his butt off to get out of it."

#Cubs lineup @Marlins 4/19: DeJesus RF, Barney 2B, Castro SS, Soriano LF, Stewart 3B, LaHair 1B, Soto C, Byrd CF, Samardzija P

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 19, 2012

Game Date & Time: Thursday, April 19, 11:40 a.m. CT

Starters: Jeff Samardzija (2-0, 3.95 ERA) vs. Ricky Nolasco (1-0, 3.46 ERA)

Location: Marlins Park; Miami, FL

TV: WGN

Radio: AM 720

For more on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage on the Cubs, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. Additional Marlins coverage can be found at Fish Stripes. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and happenings in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Marlins Final Score: Miami Downs Chicago 9-1

The Chicago Cubs lost their fourth consecutive game on Wednesday night when the Miami Marlins handed the North Siders a 9-1 defeat at Marlins Park. Miami has now won the first two games of the three-game series. Chicago falls to 3-9 with the loss, while the Marlins reach .500, 6-6 overall.

Mark Buehrle did his thing on Wednesday, going eight innings and striking out five while surrendering only six hits and one run. The Marlins offense gave Buehrle plenty of breathing room. Miami scored two in the third, two in the fifth and three in the sixth to pull away.

Second baseman Donnie Murphy got the scoring started with a two-run homer in the third off Cubs starter Matt Garza. Hanley Ramirez added a two-run homer in the fifth. Even Buehrle got in on the fun, ripping a two run single in the sixth inning to help his own cause.

Garza allowed seven hits and six earned runs in five innings while striking out seven.

For more on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. Interested in learning more about the game behind the numbers? Check out Beyond the Box Score. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and transactions in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Marlins, Lineups: Reed Johnson In RF, Jeff Baker At 1B For Chicago

The Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins have both released their starting lineups for Wednesday night's game at Marlins Park. We already touched on Chicago's lineup earlier in the game preview, but we'll cover both teams here.

Chicago has a pair of bench players in the lineup as it mixes things up, with Reed Johnson playing right field and batting leadoff in place of David DeJesus and Jeff Baker spelling Bryan LaHair at first base.

#Cubs lineup @Marlins 4/18: Johnson RF, Barney 2B, Castro SS, Soriano LF, Baker 1B, Stewart 3B, Soto C, Byrd CF, Garza P

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 18, 2012

Otherwise, Chicago's lineup looks mostly normal. The Marlins have Donnie Murphy spelling Omar Infante at second base, but otherwise they have their full cast of starters as well.

Lineup vs CHC: Reyes SS, Bonifacio CF, Ramirez 3B, Morrison LF, Stanton RF, Sanchez 1B, Buck C, Murphy 2B, Buehrle P

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 18, 2012

Fans might be treated to a nice pitching duel if both Garza and Buehrle are at their best.

For more on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. Interested in learning more about the game behind the numbers? Check out Beyond the Box Score. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and transactions in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

Javier Baez 'Can Do Whatever The F*ck [He] Wants'

Cubs Vs. Marlins Preview: Chicago Looks To Snap Three-Game Skid

Chicago fans will be treated to a familiar face on Wednesday when Mark Buehrle starts for the Miami Marlins as they host the Chicago Cubs. The long-time White Sox pitcher is still looking for his first win in a Marlins uniform, but he'll have to do so with Chicago tossing ace Matt Garza on the mound.

After an impressive 2011 campaign, Garza continues to prove that he's not only Chicago's best pitcher, but one of the best pitchers in the National League, period. After a solid outing against the Nationals to open the season, he was dominant while nearly posting a shutout on the Milwaukee Brewers a few days ago.

Hoping to avoid their fourth straight defeat, the Cubs are going to need a quality performance from their ace in order to get back on track. After deciding not to trade Garza over the offseason, these are precisely the kinds of games when the team needs him to step up.

The Cubs recently announced their lineup for the game, which is shown below:

#Cubs lineup @Marlins 4/18: Johnson RF, Barney 2B, Castro SS, Soriano LF, Baker 1B, Stewart 3B, Soto C, Byrd CF, Garza P

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 18, 2012

For more on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. Interested in learning more about the game behind the numbers? Check out Beyond the Box Score. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and transactions in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Marlins Final Score: Chicago Downed By Ozzie Guillen's Team In Miami

Ozzie Guillen's return from a five-game suspension proved to be victorious as the Miami Marlins defeated the Chicago Cubs 5-2 on Tuesday night. The Cubs led 1-0 going into the bottom of the fifth, but a pair of fifth inning runs and three eighth inning runs by Miami was enough to drop Chicago to 3-8 overall. The win moves Miami to 5-6.

Related: Dubs On The Cubs: Can We Just Be Friends?

Star third baseman Hanley Ramirez blasted a three-run homer in the eighth inning off of Chicago relief pitcher James Russell to break the 2-2 tie and give the Marlins the victory. Chicago had tied the game in the top of the seventh when first baseball Bryan LaHair singled to center to drive in catcher Steve Clevenger.

Miami starter Josh Johnson went seven innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs. Cubs starter Ryan Dempster pitched six innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out eight and walking two.

For more on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. Interested in learning more about the game behind the numbers? Check out Beyond the Box Score. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and transactions in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Marlins Lineups: C Steve Clevenger Behind The Dish With Dempster Pitching

Rookie C Steve Clevenger gets his third start of the season on Tuesday evening against the Miami Marlins. A strong hitter through his minor league days, the 26-year-old Clevenger is getting his first chance of the season to stick as a backup catcher. Clevenger presided over SP Matt Garza's pitching gem against the the Milwaukee Brewers.

Here is a look at the lineups for Tuesday's game:

Cubs vs. Marlins 4/17: DeJesus 9, Barney 4, Castro 6, Soriano 7, Stewart 5, Clevenger 2, LaHair 3, Byrd 8, Dempster 1.

— Doug Padilla (@ESPNChiCubs) April 17, 2012

Starting for the Cubs will be SP Ryan Dempster, making his third appearance of the season. In his last outing, Dempster 6 and 2/3 innings of 2-run baseball, striking out 5 while walking 3.

For more on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. Interested in learning more about the game behind the numbers? Check out Beyond the Box Score. For more from around baseball, head over to Baseball Nation. To keep track of all rumors and transactions in the game, check out MLB Daily Dish.

Dubs On The Cubs: Can We Just Be Friends?

Z.W. Martin's weekly Cubs column -- first of the young season -- takes a look at Chicago's first ten games and how they ended up with a 3-7 record.

Cubs Vs. Marlins Preview: Ozzie Guillen Returns From Suspension Vs. The Cubs

The Chicago Cubs will face the Miami Marlins on Tuesday as Ozzie Guillen returns from a five-game suspension.