Reds Vs. Cubs: Cubs Lose Game 3 By A Score Of 4-3, Drop Series To Reds

The Chicago Cubs were unable to come back after the Cincinatti Reds broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning, losing the rubber match of the three game series. The final result was Reds four, Cubs three in a game characterized by numerous missed chances on both sides. The Reds left 13 men on base to the Cubs 12, but ultimately the Reds were able to capitalize where the Cubs were not.

A leadoff walk in the sixth was the beginning of the trouble for the Cubs, who compounded things with two straight errors by Geovany Soto on two straight sacrifice bunts. That left the bases loaded with no outs. Drew Stubbs was up next, grounding into a fielder's choice, and the Reds were able to score a run while the Cubs failed to turn two. The Cubs brought in Scott Maine to pitch, and he picked up the first out, striking out Joey Votto. He was not so successful with the next two batters, hitting Ryan Ludwick with a pitch, loading the bases again, and walking Jay Bruce to send in a run. Maine then struck out Scott Rolen to end the inning, and the Cubs entered the bottom of the sixth trailing 4-2.

The Cubs failed to pick up another hit until the bottom of the ninth, where they faced fomer Cub Sean Marshall. Starlin Castro led the inning off with a triple to right-center. Steve Clevenger struck out looking, and pinch hitter Jeff Baker managed to score Castro when he grounded out to shortstop. With two outs, Ian Stewart was unable to keep the Cubs alive and he struck out looking.

The Cubs dropped two of three to the Reds and stand at -12, remaining in the basement of the NL Central standings. They'll have their work cut out for them going forward, as tomorrow begins a three game series with the division leading St. Louis Cardinals.

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Reds Vs. Cubs Score Update: Chicago Trails 4-2 After Six Innings

The Chicago Cubs are trailing 4-2 to the Cincinnati Reds after six innings of play at Wrigley Field on Sunday afternoon. On a chilly day on the North Side, the Cubs have been able to keep things close in an error-filled game despite allowing the Reds to get runners on base in nearly every inning.

In the first inning, Cincinnati had the bases loaded with just one out, but failed to score after both Jay Bruce and Scott Rolen struck out in back-to-back at-bats to end the threat. After getting a pair of runs in the third inning, the Reds had another big chance in the fourth with two men on and just one out but couldn't take advantage.

The Reds have just kept coming, though. After a silent fifth inning, the Reds took advantage of a pair of errors by Cubs catcher Geovany Soto to load the bases with zero outs. And yet, once again, the Cubs managed to get out of the jam relatively okay, allowing just two runs.

So even though you could say that Cincinnati has had major opportunities in four of its first six innings, the Cubs trail by just two with three frames to go.

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Cubs Line Up: Campana, DeWitt In Line Up Vs. Reds

The Chicago Cubs' line up on Sunday looks much like it has for the series vs. the Cincinnati Reds, but with two changes, one of which is major, while the other is minor. The minor change has utility man Blake DeWitt at second base, which gives usual starter Darwin Barney the day off. The major change involves the centerfield position, which is now vacated with the trade of Marlon Byrd.

In center today is Tony Campana, who only returned to the active roster on Saturday. It's thought that the Cubs will go centerfield by committee for the indefinite future, and with a righty in Johnny Cueto on the hill today, the left handed Campana gets the call.

Here's the Cubs full line up for Sunday's game:

1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Tony Campana, CF
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Bryan LaHair, 1B
5. Alfonso Soriano, LF
6. Ian Stewart, 3B
7. Geovany Soto, C
8. Blake DeWitt, 2B
9. Randy Wells, P

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Cubs Vs. Reds: Randy Wells Returns As Cubs Look To Take Series

When Randy Wells failed to make the Chicago Cubs out of Spring Training, the front office said that they needed him stretched out in Triple-A and ready to come up to the big leagues at any moment to make a start. Well, it took a little more than two weeks for that contingency plan to be put into action, as Ryan Dempster's move to the disabled list opened up a spot for Wells, who will make the start on Sunday vs. the Cincinnati Reds.

Marlon Byrd Trade: Cubs Send Outfielder To Boston Red Sox

This morning, rumors spread that the Chicago Cubs were close to trading struggling outfielder Marlon Byrd to the Boston Red Sox. After Chicago snapped its six-game losing streak on Saturday afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds, word came down that the trade is official, at least according to Bruce Levine of ESPN.

Marlon Byrd confirms he has been traded to Boston. Deal will beannounced after Bostongame.

— Bruce Levine (@ESPNBruceLevine) April 21, 2012

Byrd has been off to a horrendous start for Chicago, going 3-for-41 at the plate, good for a .070 average. Byrd also has two RBI and one run scored on the season.

Compensation coming back to the Cubs remains unknown at the time, though Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports said earlier in the day that Michael Bowden -- a product of Waubonsie Valley High School -- could be on his way to Chicago.

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Marlon Byrd Trade Rumors: Red Sox Pitcher Michael Bowden Could Return To Chicago

We learned on Saturday that the Chicago Cubs were close to dealing struggling outfielder Marlon Byrd to the Boston Red Sox. While the deal has yet to be complete, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports speculates that reliever and Illinois native Michael Bowden could be headed to the Cubs.

Related: Marlon Byrd Trade Rumors: Red Sox Close To Acquiring Cubs OF, According To Report

Source: Byrd deal remains probable. Timing issues remain. #Cubs likely to pay most of Byrd's remaining $6.5M. Bowden in play from #RedSox.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 21, 2012

Bowden attended Waubonsie Valley High School before being selected in the first round of the 2005 MLB draft. Bowden has pitched in two games for Boston this season, with the most recent being April 10 against Toronto.

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Reds Vs. Cubs Final Score: Big 2nd Inning Lifts Chicago To 6-1 Victory

The Chicago Cubs got out to a 5-1 lead against the Cincinnati Reds by the end of the second inning on Saturday afternoon, and used the early offensive firepower to key a 6-1 victory at Wrigley Field. The win snaps the North Siders' six-game losing streak and improves the team to 4-11. The Reds fall to 6-9.

Related: Marlon Byrd Trade Rumors: Red Sox Close To Acquiring Cubs OF, According To Report

Darwin Barney and catcher Steve Clevenger each finished with three hits for the Cubs. Barney drove in one of four second inning runs by doubling to left to score David DeJesus. Clevenger plated the Cubs' seventh inning run with a single to right.

Paul Maholm allowed four hits, three walks and just one run for the Cubs over six innings.

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Reds Vs. Cubs Score Update: Chicago Leads 5-1 In Bottom Of The 6th

The Chicago Cubs suffered a frustrating loss on Friday afternoon to the Cincinnati Reds, but early returns have been promising for the second game of the series on Saturday. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the North Siders told a 5-1 lead on the Reds.

Starter Paul Maholm has been brilliant so going, going six innings and allowing only four hits, one earned run and three walks while striking out five. Maholm got the Reds to strand a pair of runners in the top of the sixth. He remains in the game to this point.

The Cubs scored one in the first inning and four in the second to build the early lead. Starlin Castro -- who committed his sixth error of the season earlier in the game -- highlighted the second with an RBI triple. Castro is among four Chicago hitters who already have two hits today.

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Marlon Byrd Trade Rumors: Red Sox Close To Acquiring Cubs OF, According To Report

In the offseason there was plenty of chatter about the Chicago Cubs moving outfielder Marlon Byrd in a trade at some point, and now it appears the Boston Red Sox are close to acquiring Byrd from the Cubs, according to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe. Earlier on Saturday morning the Cubs placed pitched Ryan Dempster on the 15-day disabled list with a quad strain and called up minor league OF Tony Campana rather than doing a direct promotion of pitcher Randy Wells -- who will take Dempster's spot in the rotation on Sunday. Perhaps they will clear room on the MLB roster by dealing Byrd to the Red Sox this weekend.

Source:Red Sox closing in on deal for Cubs OF Marlon Byrd.

— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) April 21, 2012

The issue of hammering out compensation for Theo Epstein took all summerand put plenty of stress on the relationship between the two organizations -- most recently an injury to reliever Chris Carpenter had the Red Sox up in arms -- but an opportunity to buy low on Byrd (he's hitting .070/.149/.070 in 47 plate appearances for 2012) is apparently enough to get dialogue going again.

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Cubs Place Ryan Dempster On DL With Quad Strain, Promote OF Tony Campana

On Saturday morning, the Chicago Cubs placed starting pitcher Ryan Dempster on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right quad, according to Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune. Rumors about Dempster possibly missing his next start with a quad injury surfaced on Friday, but now he's headed to the DL and outfielder Tony Campana has been promoted to the major league roster. Dempster piched at least 6.0 innings in each of his first three starts, striking out 23 and walking only eight, but now he is on the shelf and Randy Wells will take his place on Sunday.

As for Campana, the 25-year old outfielder started the season off with a .304/.355/.375 triple-slash line over 67 plate appearances at Triple-A Iowa.

Cubs DL Dempster with quad strain, bring up o.f. Campana. Wells to start Sunday.

— Dave van Dyck (@davandyck) April 21, 2012

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Reds Vs. Cubs: Lineups, Starters, TV Schedule, Radio And More For Saturday

The Chicago Cubs have lost six straight games, but they are back at it again on Saturday afternoon and are hoping to break that streak against Mike Leake and the Cincinnati Reds. Dusty Baker has shuffled the Reds' lineup more often than network TV execs at NBC have toyed with theirs, but a 9-run outburst on Friday offered some relief to an otherwise inconsistent Cincinnati offense. As for the Cubs, they are still working to find their way with the bats and haven't scored more than four runs in a game since April 13 (the team's last victory).

Here are the lineups and the TV and radio information for Saturday's rematch at Wrigley:

Cincinnati Reds

1. Zack Cozart SS
2. Drew Stubbs CF
3. Joey Votto 1B
4. Brandon Phillips 2B
5. Ryan Ludwick LF
6. Scott Rolen 3B
7. Chris Heisey LF
8. Devin Mesoraco C
9. Mike Leake P

Chicago Cubs

1. David DeJesus RF
2. Darwin Barney 2B
3. Starlin Castro SS
4. Bryan LaHair 1B
5. Ian Stewart 3B
6. Steve Clevenger C
7. Blake DeWitt LF
8. Joe Mather CF
9. Paul Maholm P

Game date/time: Saturday, April 21, 12:05 p.m. CT

Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

TV: WGN

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Cubs Vs. Reds: Chicago Tries To Take Game Two

The Chicago Cubs have not won a series yet this season, and if Cincinnati Reds win again on Saturday, it will make five straight series losses to kick off the Theo Epstein era. Taking the hill to try and get the Cubs into Sunday with a chance at taking the series will be Paul Maholm, and that won't inspire much confidence in Cubs fans, who have seen Maholm give up six earned runs in just four innings in both of his first two starts this season.

He'll be opposing Mike Leake, who has posted a 5.84 ERA in 12.1 innings in his two starts this year. On Friday, it was the Cubs' defense and hitting with runners in scoring position that failed them, as they committed three errors and were able to crack open a big inning despite various opportunities, instead scoring two of their four runs on groundouts.

Game date/time: Saturday, April 21, 12:05 p.m. CT

Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Ill.

TV: WGN

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Reds Vs. Cubs Final Score: Chicago Loses To Cincinnati, 9-4

Chicago starter Chris Volstad had a rough afternoon, giving up six runs (five earned) on seven hits in five innings of work, and the Cubs lost to the Cincinnati Reds 9-4 on Friday afternoon. The loss was the sixth in a row for the Cubs, who fell to 3-11 overall this season.

Related: Cubs Rumors: Randy Wells Is Back At Wrigley Field, So Could Kerry Wood Be Headed To The DL?

Cincinnati scored four runs in the top of the first inning, and while the Cubs were able to cut the lead in half with a pair of runs in the third, that was as close as they'd get.

Bryan LaHair was the only Cubs batter to collect more than one hit on the afternoon; the team managed a total of five hits.

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 Reds coverage can be found at Red Reporter. 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. Reds Score Update: Two Cubs Errors Give Help Chicago To 4-0 Deficit

The Chicago Cubs, looking to break an early season five-game losing streak, have started poorly against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday afternoon. Not only did they allow four runs in the first inning, they did so in style:

Volstad throws [41] pitches in first inning. #Cubs down 4-0. Two errors by Cubs fielders.

— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) April 20, 2012

Misplays from SS Starlin Castro and CF Marlon Byrd helped force Cubs SP Chris Volstad to throw 41 pitches in the first inning. The Cubs mounted a threat in the bottom of the inning with a Castro single and an error from Reds SS Zack Cozart, but SP Homer Bailey was able to weave out of trouble and kept the score at 4-0, Reds lead.

Volstad regained control in the second inning, retiring the heart of the Reds lineup with just 7 more pitches. The Cubs enter the third inning, trailing 4-0.

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Cubs Vs. Reds: Ryan Demspter Questionable For Sunday's Start

The Chicago Cubs may have to turn to their thinning pitching depth on Sunday as No. 1 SP Ryan Dempster is dealing with a right quad injury according to Matt Abbatacola of 670 AM The Score:

#Cubs Dempster's start for Sunday - questionable - right quad

— Matt Abbatacola (@MattAbbatacola) April 20, 2012

Dempster has pitched well through his first three starts, finishing at least 6.0 innings while striking out 23 and walking only 8 batters. In his previous start, Dempster pitched 6.0 innings with 8 strikeouts, 2 walks and 2 earned runs. He is still looking for his first win, thought, as he has received a combined 4 runs of support through his first three starts.

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Cubs Place Kerry Wood On DL With Shoulder Fatigue, Promote LHP Scott Maine From Triple-A Iowa

After Randy Wells was spotted at Wrigley Field on Friday morning, some wondered whether Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood was headed to the disabled list. As it turns out, the team did place Wood on the DL with shoulder fatigue in a move that can back-date to last Saturday, but it wasn't a one-for-one transaction with Wells. Instead, the Cubs promoted 27-year old LHP Scott Maine from Triple-A Iowa. Maine posted an impressive 1.42 ERA over 6.1 innings pitched for Iowa in five appearances, and the move gives the Cubs two lefties in the bullpen -- James Russell is the other such reliever on the major league roster.

As for Wood, Carrie Muskat points out that this marks the 16th time he has been placed on the DL in his 14-year major league career. He did not start 2012 well, posting an 11.57 ERA and a 4:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2.1 innings pitched for the Cubs.

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Cubs Rumors: Randy Wells Is Back At Wrigley Field, So Could Kerry Wood Be Headed To The DL?

Prior to the start of the 2012 MLB season, the Chicago Cubs optioned pitcher Randy Wells to Triple-A Iowa as a part of the last roster cuts in Spring Training. After just 13 games, Wells was spotted at Wrigley Field prior to Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, which has Daily Herald beat writer Bruce Miles wondering if Kerry Wood could be placed on the disabled list:

Nothing official from #Cubs about Kerry Wood to DL, but Randy Wells said to be at Wrigley.

— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) April 20, 2012

Wood has been nothing short of a disaster out of the bullpen so far in 2012, and he has an 11.57 ERA and a 4:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2.1 innings pitched to prove it. Meanwhile, Wells hasn't been much better in 14.1 innings for Iowa. He sports a 9.42 ERA with a 10:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

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

The Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds are both ailing after yet another series loss, but now they go head-to-head in a three-game weekend series at Wrigley Field and somebody has to win it. On Friday the Cubs send Chris Volstad to the mound, while the Reds turn to Homer Bailey. It's going to be quite windy in Chicago today (winds may reach upwards of 45 mph), and here are the lineups each teams will thrust into the situation:

#Cubs lineup vs. @Reds 4/20: DeJesus RF, Barney 2B, Castro SS, LaHair 1B, Soriano LF, Stewart 3B, Soto C, Byrd CF, Volstad P

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 20, 2012

Cozart 6, Stubbs 8, Votto 3, Bruce 9, Rolen 5, Heisey 7, Harris 4, Mesoraco 2, Bailey RHP

— Reds (@Reds) April 20, 2012

Here is the information you need to find the game:

Game Date & Time: Friday, April 20, 1:20 p.m. CT

Starters: Homer Bailey (0-2, 5.40 ERA) vs. Chris Volstad (0-1, 4.91 ERA)

Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

TV: MLB Network, CSN-Chicago

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 Reds coverage can be found at Red Reporter. 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.

Reds Vs. Cubs Preview: Can Chicago Stop Their Losing Streak With Home Cooking?

The Chicago Cubs open a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday afternoon.