Cubs Vs. Padres Final Score: Losing Skid Hits Eight Games With 2-0 Loss

The Chicago Cubs lost 2-0 to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night, the second time during the three-game series that the team has been shutout in Petco Park. The Cubs have now lost eight consecutive games, including five losses in which they've scored no more than one run.

Jeff Samardzija pitched well for the Cubs in the series finale, giving the team seven innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts, but even that was one run too many. San Diego's Clayton Richard tossed a complete game shutout against the Cubs, allowing just five hits and two walks in a superb effort.

David DeJesus had two hits, plus Starlin Castro and Alfonso Soriano each got on base two times apiece, but the Cubs couldn't take advantage of their rare opportunities. Defensive miscues in the eighth inning allowed the Padres to add an insurance run on James Russell, but it hardly matters when you're putting up zeros every inning.

Will Venable finished the game with an RBI double and two walks in a nice effort for San Diego, plus Yonder Alonso and Chase Headley each smacked two hits for the Padres.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Padres blog Gaslamp Ball. For more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Padres Score Update: Chicago Trails 1-0

The Chicago Cubs continue to struggle scoring runs in Petco Park this week, trailing 1-0 to the San Diego Padres through six innings on Wednesday. In 24 total innings during the three-game series thus far, the Cubs have scored just four runs total, so it's not surprising that they're looking to avoid a sweep right now.

Jeff Samardzija has pitched well for Chicago so far as he works to turn his season around, allowing just one run on two hits with five strikeouts over six innings. San Diego's Clayton Richard has been slightly better, though, allowing four hits over six shutout innings.

The Cubs have gotten little offense so far, although Starlin Castro got his first hit in days against Richard in the fifth inning and Alfonso Soriano has gotten on base twice, once by walk and once by hit-by-pitch. Will Venable has been the engine behind San Diego, as he's 1-for-1 with an RBI double and a walk.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Padres blog Gaslamp Ball. For more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Padres Lineups: Alfonso Soriano Returns On Wednesday

Chicago Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano is returning to the lineup as the team faces the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. He'll be batting clean-up for the Cubs after being scratched from Tuesday's lineup with a sore right hand that he suffered during a slide in Monday night's game.

With Soriano returning, 24-year-old outfielder Brett Jackson will get the day off after struggling badly so far in the series. Over the first two games against San Diego, Jackson went a combined 0-for-7 with seven strikeouts and one walk, failing to put the ball into play even once.

Chicago:

1. David DeJesus (L) - CF
2. Darwin Barney (R) - 2B
3. Anthony Rizzo (L) - 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano (R) - LF
5. Starlin Castro (R) - SS
6. Welington Castillo (R) - C
7. Josh Vitters (R) - 3B
8. Joe Mather (R) - RF
9. Jeff Samardzija (R) P

Related: Alfonso Soriano Trade Rumors: Chicago Cubs Outfielder Believes Chances He's Dealt Are '50/50'

San Diego:

1. Alexi Amarista (L) CF
2. Everth Cabrera (S) SS
3. Yonder Alonso (L) 1B
4. Chase Headley (S) 3B
5. Mark Kotsay (L) LF
6. Will Venable (L) RF
7. Logan Forsythe (R) 2B
8. John Baker (L) C
9. Clayton Richard (L) P

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Padres blog Gaslamp Ball. For more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Alfonso Soriano Trade Rumors: Chicago Cubs Outfielder Believes Chances He's Dealt Are '50/50'

The trade deadline has long passed, but the Chicago Cubs are still looking to make some deals. Alfonso Soriano is one popular candidate to get moved, assuming the veteran outfielder clears waivers. With over $42 million still owed to Soriano, it seems like a safe bet no one will pick him up. Once Soriano clears waivers, he can be dealt if he gives his consent.

Soriano told the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday night he believes his chances of switching teams this season are "50/50". A potential trade will come down to how much of Soriano's contract the Cubs are willing to pick up. If the Cubs pay up to 90 percent of the remaining money owed to Soriano, as has been rumored, Chicago's front office would likely want more highly-touted prospects in return.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Padres blog Gaslamp Ball. For more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Chicago Cubs And White Sox Quarterly Report: SB Nation Chicago Podcast

Cubs Vs. Pirates Final Score: Chicago Falls, 7-4, Drops 7th Straight

The Chicago Cubs are now on a seven-game losing streak following Tuesday night's 7-4 loss to the San Diego Padres. After going down 7-0 at the end of the fourth inning, the Cubs did mount a bit of a comeback attempt later in the game, but that ultimately proved futile.

Making his major league debut, Brooks Raley (0-1, 15.75 ERA) allowed two two-run singles in the third inning and then served up a gopher ball to Carlos Quentin in the fourth inning, putting the team in the 7-0 hole.

The Cubs did crack the scoreboard during the fifth inning when Darwin Barney doubled in a run off Ross Ohlendorf (4-2, 5.61 ERA). Ohlendorf pitched into the seventh inning, but he left after Bryan LaHair reached on an error to start the frame. Brad Boxberger allowed the Steve Clevenger RBI single and the Josh Vitters two-run double.

The Cubs (43-65) will look to avoid the sweep on Wednesday night.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Padres blog Gaslamp Ball.

With Matt Garza Headed To The DL, Chicago Cubs Call Up Pitcher Brooks Raley

The Chicago Cubs placed starter Matt Garza on the 15-day disabled list in a move retroactive to July 28. On Tuesday, the North Siders made it official by calling up 24-year left-handed pitched Brooks Raley. Raley, a San Antonio native, is 6-foot-3, 185 lbs. and has spent the 2012 season alternating between the Double-A Tennessee Smokies and Triple-A Iowa Cubs. His combined stats for the season in the minors read like this: a 6-10 record with a 3.58 ERA over 22 starts.

Related: Matt Garza Injury: Stress Reaction In Elbow Sidelines Cubs RHP Indefinitely

Garza is 5-7 this year for Chicago with a 3.91 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Garza has 96 strikeouts and 32 walks on the season. He is being sidelined by a stress reaction in his right elbow.

Raley is starting on Tuesday for Chicago vs. the San Diego Padres.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Padres blog Gaslamp Ball.

Cubs Vs. Padres Lineups: Alfonso Soriano Scratched From Chicago's Lineup

Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano will sit out Tuesday's game against San Diego because of soreness in his right hand -- the hand was stepped on while he was sliding into a base on Monday. Bryan LaHair is getting a start as a result of the injury; he'll be batting fifth and playing in right field. David DeJesus will handle left field. The full lineups for Tuesday's game are below.

Chicago:

1. David DeJesus (L) - LF
2. Brett Jackson (L) - CF
3. Starlin Castro (R) -- SS
3. Anthony Rizzo (L) - 1B
5. Bryan LaHair (L) - RF
6. Steve Clevenger (L) - C
7. Luis Valbuena (L) - 3B
8. Darwin Barney (R) - 2B
9. Brooks Raley (L) P

Related: Cubs Vs. Padres Preview: Chicago Aims To Even Series On Tuesday

San Diego:

1. Chris Denorfia (R) RF
2. Logan Forsythe (R) 2B
3. Chase Headley (S) 3B
4. Carlos Quentin (R) LF
5. Jesus Guzman (R) 1B
6. Cameron Maybin (R) CF
7. Everth Cabrera (S) SS
8. John Baker (L) C
9. Ross Ohlendorf (R) P

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Padres blog Gaslamp Ball. For more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Padres Preview: Chicago Aims To Even Series On Tuesday

The Chicago Cubs (43-64) take on the San Diego Padres (47-64) looking to rebound from Monday's shutout loss.

SP Brooks Raley makes his major league debut after splitting his 2012 season with the Cubs' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates. Raley, 24, sported 3.62 ERA and 3.76 FIP through 82 innings at Triple-A.

He will be opposed by veteran SP Ross Ohlendorf, who makes his seventh start of the season. Ohlendorf, who turns 30 on Wednesday, has a 6.27 ERA and 4.58 FIP through 37 and 1/3 innings.

Game Time: 9:05 p.m. CDT, Monday, Aug. 7

Broadcast: CSC (TV), WGN Radio (radio)

Location: Petco Park, San Diego, CA

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Padres blog Gaslamp Ball. For more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Padres Final Score: North Siders Fall 2-0 In Series Opener

Chicago Cubs starter Travis Wood was tagged with five hits and two earned runs over six innings as the North Siders fell 2-0 on Monday night versus the San Diego Padres. The Cubs move to 43-64 with the loss, while San Diego improves to 47-64.

The Cubs finished with five hits on the day, San Diego finished with six. Padres starter Eric Stults allowed five hits over 5.1 innings while striking out five to improve to 2-2.

The 25-year old Wood falls to 4-8 with the loss. Catcher Welington Castillo finished 2-for-4 for the North Siders in the loss. The Padres scored both their runs in the fourth inning. Yonder Alonso singled in Carlos Quentin to drive in the first run. Everth Cabrera would then drive in Alonso for the game's final run.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Padres blog Gaslamp Ball.

Cubs Vs. Padres Lineups: Brett Jackson Leads Off For Chicago

The Cubs are in San Diego for a three-game series that begins on Monday night. The full lineups for the series-opener are listed below.

Chicago:

1. Brett Jackson (L) CF
2. Darwin Barney (R) 2B
3. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano (R) LF
5. Starlin Castro (R) SS
6. Welington Castillo (R) C
7. Josh Vitters (R) 3B
8. Joe Mather (R) RF
9. Travis Wood (R) P

Related: Brooks Raley Starting Tuesday For Cubs; Matt Garza To DL

San Diego:

1. Chris Denorfia (R) RF
2. Logan Forsythe (R) 2B
3. Chase Headley (S) 3B
4. Carlos Quentin (R) LF
5. Yonder Alonso (L) 1B
6. Cameron Maybin (R) CF
7. Everth Cabrera (S) SS
8. Eddy Rodriguez (R) C
9. Eric Stults (L) P

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Padres blog Gaslamp Ball. For more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Matt Garza Injury: Stress Reaction In Elbow Sidelines Cubs RHP Indefinitely

Matt Garza won't be pitching for the Cubs any time soon; the righthander has a stress reaction in his elbow that will keep him out of action indefinitely -- perhaps for the rest of 2012.

#Cubs GM Jed Hoyer says they'll re-evaluate Garza each homestand. Can't pick up baseball for at least 2 weeks

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) August 6, 2012

Related: Brooks Raley Starting Tuesday For Cubs; Matt Garza To DL

Hoyer on Garza's status: "He's likely to be a member of the Cubs in 2013... (Trading him) is the last thing we're thinking of."

— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) August 6, 2012

Garza is 5-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 2012. He has struck out 96 and walked 32 in 103-2/3 innings.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, visit Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Cubs Vs. Padres Preview: Chicago's West Coast Trip Continues In San Diego

Chicago opens a series in San Diego on Monday.